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AN  ACCOUNT  OF  A 


STEAMBOAT    EXCURSION 


PARTY   OF   LADIES   AND    GENTLEMEN 


FROM    WORCESTER.    MASS., 


IN  THE  SUMMER  OF  1869. 


WORCESTER: 

PRINTED    BY    CHAS.    HAMILTON. 
PALLADIUM    OFFICE. 


THE     COMMITTEE, 

IN    BEHALF    OF    THE 

'COIT    EXCURSIONISTS,"    OF    1869, 
respectfully 
dedicate  this  little  volume  to  the 
Chaplain  of   the    Party, 
REV.  G.  J.  SANGER. 


PREFACE. 


y^\^ff.E  owe  no  apology  to  our  friends  the  "  CoiTS "  or 
y^^^  the  chance  reader  for  presenting  this  little  volume, 
'"'^  as  we  were  elected  to  do  it.  If  we  have  succeeded 
in  selecting  and  arranging  such  matter  as  faithfully  gives  an 
account  of  the  delightful  trip  of  1860,  and  if  the  work  in  otlier 
respects  meets  your  kind  approlxition,  we  shall  be  satisfied. 
We  believe  it  to  be  the  duty  of  every  one  to  break  loose 
occasionally  from  the  restraint  of  business  or  the  dull  routine 
of  domestic  cares,  and  seek  that  recreation  we  all  need,  amid 
new  scenes  and  under  new  circumstances ;  and  we  know  of 
no  trip  better  adapted  to  invigorate  us  physically  and  mentally, 
and  inspire  us  with  love  and  gratitude  to  the  Creator  of  all 
things,  than  a  trip   upon  the  deep,  blue  sea! 

"Roll  on,  thou  deep  and  dark  blue  ocean,  roll! 

Time  writes  no  wrinkle  on  thine  azure  brow, — 
Such  as  creation's  dawn  beheld  thee  thou  rollest  now." 

God  never  intended  we  should  spend  our  days  constantly 
engrossed  with  the  cares  of  life !  If  he  had,  he  would  not 
have  created  a  world  tilled  with  so  much  to  enjoy  and    given 

us  such  capabilities  for  enjoying  it.    As  much  of  our  enjoy- 

1* 


VI  PREFACE. 

ment  iu  life  depends  upon  the  memories  of  the  past,  we 
hope  this  little  record  of  a  very  pleasant  excursion  will  serve 
to  keep  memory's  linlcs  bright,  and  perhaps  cast  a  pleasant 
beam  upon  some  dark  hour  of  life. 

With  these  thoughts,  kind  friends,  we  submit  the  following 
pages  to  your  charitable  criticism,  and  trust  we  may  meet 
many  times  ere  we  are  called  upon 

"  to  join 

The  innumerable  caravan  wliicli  moves 

To  that  mysterious  realm  wliere  each  sliall  talce 

His  chamber  in  the  silent  lialls  of  death," 

and  that  Ave  may  all  so  live  as  to 

"  approach  the  grave 

Like  one  who  wraps  the  drapery  of  his  coucli 
About  him,  and  lies  down  to  pleasant  dreams," 

is  the  earnest  wish  of 

Your  Committee. 


OFFICERS  OF  STEAMER. 


CAPTAIN  : 

W.  R.  BROWN^,  New  London. 

FIRST   PILOT: 

GEORGE   GEER.  New  London. 

CHIEF  engineer: 
FRANK  BIDWELL,  Norwich. 

SECOND   engineer: 

HENRY  DURFEE,  Norwich. 

STEWARD  : 

JAJMES  LAWLESS,  New  London. 

CHIEF  MATE: 

ALBERT  LESTER,  Lyme. 

SECOND   mate: 

CHARLES  LESTER,  Lyme. 


OFFICERS  OF  THE  PAETY. 


PRESIDENT : 

GEORGE  R.  PECKHA3I. 

VICE  presidents: 

G.  A.  BARNARD, 
WM.  C.  BARBOUR. 

SECRETARY : 

WM.  MECORNEY. 

TREASURER : 

GEO.  W.  WHEELER. 

STEWARD  : 

HENRY  GLAZIER, 

CHAPLAIN  : 

Rev.  G.  J.  SANGER. 


NAMES  OF  THE  PARTY. 


E.  E.  ABBOTT, 

Mrs.  AUGUSTA  ABBOTT, 

H.  H.  ADAMS, 

Mrs.  H.  H.  ADAMS, 

FRANK  A.  ATHERTON, 

JOHN  M.  ALDRICH, 

Mrs.  JOHN  M.  ALDRICH, 

GEO.  O.  BRIGHAM, 

JONAS  B.  BRIGHAM, 

THOMAS  BROWN, 

Miss  SARAH  D.  BANCROFT, 

JOHN  S.  BRIGHAM, 

Miss  SARAH  M.  BRIGHAM, 

LEWIS  F.  BALI,, 

JOHN  BARNARD, 

Mrs.  SARAH  B.  BARNARD, 

WM.  H.  BROWN, 

ELLEN  S.  BROWN, 

WM.  J.  BAIvER, 

M.  A.  BARTLETT, 

Miss  P.  A.  BARNES, 

Mrs.  SAPtAH  A.  BUCKLEY, 

WM.   C.  BARBOUR, 

Mrs.  M.  a.  BARBOUR, 


Worcester. 
Templeton. 
Worcester. 

Westboro'. 
Worcester. 

li 

West  Brookfield. 
Worcester. 

lb 

East  Princeton. 
Worcester. 


Millbury. 
Worcester. 


10 


THE    RIVER    AND    THE    SOUND. 


Miss  M.  JENNIE  BARBOUE,  Worcester. 

CHAS.   A.  BARBOUE, 

JAMES  BEOADBENT, 

HENEY  P.  BAEBOUE. 

JOHN  N.  BANCEOFT, 

ELIAS  T.   BEMIS, 

Mrs.  E.  T.  BEMIS, 

AZEO  L.  D.  BUXTON, 

MAEY  CONANT,  Bane. 

Mrs.  ELIZABETH  S.   CONNELL,  Troj%  N.  Y. 

S.  B.   CORBIN,  Worcester. 

JOSEPH  CURTIS, 

MAEIA  CUETIS,  " 

E.  W.  CAETEE, 

Mrs.  E.  W.  CAETEE,  " 

Miss  ANNIE  E.  CHILDS, 

LEMUEL   COBUEN.  " 

Mrs.  LEMUEL  COBUEN,  " 

EDWAED  I.   COMINS, 

HENEY  CLAPP,  " 

Eev.  ]ME.  COBB,  Northampton. 

Mrs.  MAETHA  W.  CHAMBERLAIN,      Worcester. 

Miss  CARRIE  M.   CHAMBERLAIN,  " 

JOSIAH  CHILDS,  Westboro'. 

JAMES  CLELAND,  Maiden. 

FRANK  COEBIN,  Worcester. 

THOS.  W.  DAVIS.  " 

CHARLES  DENNIS,  " 

:MARY  DENNIS, 

JOSEPH  DAVIS, 

Mrs.  J.  DAVIS, 


THE    RIVER    AND    THE    SOUND. 


11 


J.  T.  EVEEETT, 
Mrs.  MARY  A.  EVERETT, 
Miss  LIZZIE  H.  ELLIS, 
G.   W.   ELKIlSrS, 
JAIVIES   N.  ENGLEY. 
ARTHUR  ESTABROOK, 
Miss  LIZZE  A.  FLAGG. 
Miss  REBECCA  R.  FAY, 
E.    EUGENE   FORBES, 
GEO.  A   FORBES, 
Mrs.  M.  ADELIA  FORBES, 
ABRAHAM  FAY, 
Mrs.  ABIGAIL  FAY, 
VVM.  N.  FIELD. 
HIRAM  FOBES. 
THEO.  N.   GATES. 
Mrs.  lizzie  a.  GATES, 
Miss  ABBIE  A.  GODDARD, 
ORLANDO   GODDARD. 
Miss  KATIE  E.  GATES, 

braman  grout, 
frederick  goulding, 

Mrs.  a.  W.  GRANT, 

GEORGE  GEER. 

Mrs.  HENRIETTA  GEER, 

WM.  A.  GREENE, 

SAMUEL  GRIFFIN, 

MARY  A.   GRIFFIN, 

C.   H.   GOODWIN, 

M.  M.  GARFIELD, 

Mrs.  LUCY  M.  GARFIELD, 


East  Princeton. 

Worcester. 

>i 

Leicester. 
"Worcester. 

Westboro'. 
West  Brookfield. 

Northboro'. 

Worcester. 

Westboro'. 

Worcester. 


Leicester. 

Worcester. 

Charlestowa. 

Worcester. 

Shrewsbury. 
East  Princeton. 

Worcester. 


12 


THE    RIVER   AND    THE    SOUND. 


Miss  NELLIE  11.  GREENE,  Shrewsbury, 

HENRY  GLAZIER,  Worcester. 

Mrs.  MARIA  H.  GLAZIER, 

JALAAM  GATES, 

WM.  HUNT, 

Mrs.  WM.  HUNT, 

FREDERICK  O.  HARRINGTON, 

JOHN  HILLARD, 

Mrs.  ELIZA  AV.  HILLARD, 

FRANK  E.  HIGGINS. 

ARTHUR  H.  HOWLAND. 

S.  A.  HOWLAND. 

JOHN  HOMAN.  Westboro'. 

C.  8.  HENRY, 

CHENEY  HATCH.  Leicester. 

Mrs.  CHENEY  HATCH, 

L.  N.  HOLTON,  Worcester. 

Mrs.  S.  FRANCES  HOLTON, 

GIDEON  HARRIS. 

Mrs.  SOPHIE  R.  HARRIS. 

Miss  RUTH  A.  HOWLAND, 

N.  C.  HOWE. 

Mrs.  N.  C.  HOAAT:. 

HENRY  F.  HARRIS,  Oakdale. 

LINUS  M.  HARRIS. 

Mrs.  ARMILLA  E.  HARRIS, 

WM.  HARRINGTON,  Worcester. 

F.  G.  HOOKER. 

EZRA  B.  HOLMES. 

SAMUEL  D.  HUBBARD,  Holden. 

Mrs.  E.  C.  HUBBARD, 


THE    RIVER    AND    THE    SOUND. 


13 


ALBERT  F.  HATCH.  Worcester. 

Mrs.  SARAH  R.  HATCH,  " 

FRAXK  A.  HATCH. 

HENRY  H.  HOLDER, 

Mu3.  HENRY  H.  HOLDEN, 

THEO.  S.  HOBBS, 

]\lK6.  CLARA  A.  HOBBS, 

Mrs.  J.  HUNT.  Vernon,  Vt. 

Miss  MARY  HALL,  Worcester. 

WM.  HENVILLE, 

ISAAC  JOHNSON,  Sturbridge. 

Mrs.  CHARLOTTE  J.  JOHNSON. 

CHARLES  H.  JACKSON,  West  Brookfield. 

Mrs.  CHARLES  H.  JACKSON, 

HENRY  J.  KENDALL,  W^orcester. 

Mrs.  3LARY  J.  KENDALL, 

WM.  KNOWLES. 

Mrs.  H.  W.  KNIGHTS,  Orange. 

Mrs.  E.  M.  KIMBALL.  Worcester. 

ALBERT  G.  KENDALL. 

Miss  EMMA  S.  R.  KENDRICK, 

Mrs.  LYDIA  A.  KINGMAN.  " 

Miss  ELDORA  E.  LORING,  Leicester. 

Miss  ABBIE  L.  LORING, 

BETSEY  MIDGLEY,  LowelL 

ALFRED  C.  MURRAY,  Worcester. 

O.  P.  MAYNARD.  West  Brookfield. 

Mrs.  M.  L.  MAYNARD, 

ALBERT  H,  MURDOCK.  West  Boylston. 

W.M.  MECORNEY,  Worcester. 

Mrs.  R.  L.  MECORNEY, 


14 


THE    RIVER    AND    THE    SOUND. 


WM.  MOOKE, 
M.  H.  MIPJCK, 
Mrs.  L.  M.  MIKICK, 
WALTEE  MOORE, 
CHARLES  MORSE. 
HENRY  B.  NOURSE, 
N.  F.  NEWELL, 
Mrs.  N.  F.  NEWELL. 
CHARLES  O.  PARKER, 
Miss  ELLA  J.  PRATT. 
C.  H.  PLERCE. 
Mrs.  E.  E.  PARKER. 
ARTHUR  D.  PRATT, 
Mrs.  D.  F.  PARKER. 
WM.  D.PROUTY, 
Mrs.  WM.  D.  PROUTY. 
Miss  MARY  E.  PROUTY, 
Miss  ALICE  M.  PROUTY, 
DEXTER  H.  PERRY, 
DEXTER  N.  PRATT, 
Miss  SARAH  F.  PUTNAM. 
Miss  LOUISA  M.  RICE, 
Miss  HATTIE  E.  RICHARDS, 
JOHN  RICHARDS, 
HENRY  RICH. 
HENRY  F.  ROSS. 
Mrs.  HATTIE  E.  RICH, 
THOMAS  STOTT, 
Mrs.  LEAH  STOTT, 
ALBERT  J.  STONE, 
Mrs.  BERT  STONE, 


Northboro.' 
East  Princeton. 

Worcester. 

Westboro'. 
Worcester. 

Westboro'. 
Worcester. 
Westboro'. 
W^orcester. 


West  Brookfield. 


THE    RIVER    AND    THE    SOUND. 


15 


GEORGE  T.  SCOTT, 

Mrs.  ELIZABETH  S.  SCOTT, 

GEOKGE  SESSIONS, 

Mrs.  MARY  J.  SESSIONS, 

Miss  MARY  S.  SESSIONS, 

DR.  E.  SCHOFIELD, 

E.  SMITH.  Jr.. 

Mrs.  E.  SMITH.  Jr., 

Miss  ESTELLA  SMITH, 

H.  A.  STREETER. 

Mrs.  H.  A.  STREETER. 

Mrs.  almond  STREETER, 

Miss  MARY  SHAW, 

P.  H.  SMITH. 

T.  H.  STODDARD, 

Miss  HATTIE  A.  SMITH, 

Miss  S.  ANNIE  STEVENS, 

Mrs.  R.  D.  STEVENS, 

Mrs.  SWAIM, 

S.  D.  TOURTELLOT. 

Mrs.  LUCY  TOURTELLOT, 

elias  temple, 

Mrs.  MARIA  I.  TAUNT. 
Miss  EMMA  E.  UPHAM, 
C.  N.  WALKER. 
Mrs.  lizzie  L.  WALKER, 
AMANDA  L.  WILCOX, 
SAMUEL  WARREN, 
MARION  E.  WARREN, 
JAMES  J.  WARREN, 
Mrs.  JAMES  J.  WARREN, 


Worcester. 


Millbury. 
Northampton. 

Worcester. 

Vernon,  Vt. 

Oxford, 

Worcester. 


Uxbrido^e. 
Holden. 

Brimfield. 


16 


THE    RIVER    AND    THE    SOUND. 


Miss  FAXNY  E.  WARREX, 
Ik[rss  ELLEX  E.  WARREN, 
Miss  MARY  W.  WARREN, 
Master  JOHN  M.  WARREN. 
C.  WARREN, 

Mrs.  SARAH  A.   WHITNEY, 
Miss  KATE  E.   WHITE. 
Miss  MARIA  J.  WAEREN, 
MissADDIE  J.   WARREN, 
SETH  D.    WILLIAMS, 
DELUCAR   S.   WILLIAMS, 
A.  J.   WARFIELD, 
Mrs.  a.  J.  WARFIELD, 
Miss  EMMA  J.  WOOD, 
GEORGE  W.   WAI0:FIELD, 
A  G.  WALKER. 
A.  L.    WILLISTON. 
HUGH  A.  WILLSON. 
CHAS.   H.   WOOD  WELL, 
CLARENCE   C.  WHITE. 
CORBIN  O.   WOOD, 
Mrs.  C.  O.  WOOD, 
Miss  H.  WINSLOW, 
LEWIS  F.   WHETE, 
GEO.  W.  WHEELER, 
Mrs.  HARRIET  S.   WHEELER, 
Miss  MARY  G.  B.  WHEELER, 
Miss  SARAH  WILSON, 


Brim  field. 


Leicester. 

Wiiiclieiulon. 

Leicester. 


Worcester, 


Northampton. 

West  Boylston. 

Worcester. 

Leicester. 

Worcester. 

Maltlen. 

Charlton  Depot. 

Worcester. 


ORIGIN  OF  THE  EXCURSION. 


UKING  the  summer  of  ISGS.  a  part}-  of  worMi}^  citizens 
from  the  *"  Heart  of  the  Commonwealth,"  desiring 
to  enjoy  a  season  of  recreation,  organized  themselves 
into  an  association  bj'  the  choice  of  proper  officers,  and  having 
chartered  of  Capt.  VV.  W.  Coit.  of  IS^orwich,  Ct..  the  steamer 
bearing  his  name,  they  proceeded  to  said  city  August  3.  and, 
taking  possession  of  their  "  own  hired  boat,"  spent  a  few 
daj's  in  visiting  Newport,  Edgartown,  New  Bedford,  etc.  A 
further  account  of  the  trip  may  be  found  in  a  little  volume  of 
about  the  same  size  and  style  of  this,  entitled  "'By  Sea  and 
Land."  Early  this  season,  members  of  the  same  part}',  havin«- 
pleasant  recollections  of  the  good  time  of  last  year,  called  a 
meeting  of  the  ''  Coits."  extending  the  invitation  to  others,  the 
result  of  vyrhich  was  the  organization  of  another  party,  retain- 
ing the  old  title  "■  Coit  Excursionists.'' 

As  there  was  a  prospect  of  a  much  larger  party,  it  became 
necessary  to  obtain  a  more  capacious  steamer  than  the  one  used 
last  year,  and  after  due  consideration,  the  *'  City  of  New  Lon- 
don''' was  chartered  of  Julius  Webb,  agent  of  the  Boston, 
Norwich  and  New  York  Transportation  Company,  for  an  eight 
days'  trip,  an  account  of  which  will  be  found  in  the  succeeding 

pages,   made    up    of    an   extended    article    which    appeared 

»    2* 


18  THE    RIVER   AND    THE    SOUND. 

in  the  Westboro''  Chro7iotype,  whose  editor,  C.  H.  Pierce,  Esq., 
was  a  member  of  the  party,  and  a  series  of  letters  which 
appeared  in  the  Worcester  Daily  Spy  over  the  initials  W.  M. 

Other  matter  was  in  the  hands  of  your  committee,  but  as  it 
contains  substantially  the  same  facts,  they  did  not  think  it 
would  be  advisable  to  publish  it,  neither  did  they  feel  at  liberty 
to  pass  over  the  articles  in  the  Evening  Gazette,  furnished  that 
paper  by  the  gentlemanly  editor  who  was  one  of  our  party, 
without  acknowledging  their  interest  and  worthiness  of  a  place 
in  this  volume  under  other  circumstances. 


CRUISE  OF  THE  COITS, 


Originally  published  in  the  Westboro'  Chronotype. 


.LTGITST  11—18,  1869,  are  eight  brilliant  red-letter 
days  in  many  a  book  of  remembrance.  They 
mark  the  gi'and  carnival  of  pleasure  prosecuted  by  two 
hundred  and  sixty  ladies  and  gentlemen  of  Worcester  and 
vicinity,  over  a  Avater  trip  of  seven  hundred  miles,  and 
tlu'ough  eight  cities.  Much  was  anticipated  from  an  excur- 
sion of  such  unusiTal  proportions,  but  vastly  more  was  real- 
ized. In  fact,  it  proved  the  most  successful  affau-  of  the 
kind  which  has  yet  been  projected  in  New  England. 

The  party  was  mainly  made  up  of  some  of  the  best 
citizens  of  Worcester  Coimty;  not  people  of  wealth  and 
social  position  merely,  but  those  whose  heaits  are  in  the 
right  place,  and  who  never  for  a  moment  forget  the 
amenities  of  life.  Throughout  the  trip,  starch  was  at  a 
discoiint,   and  all  stood  upon  a   common    level,  mingling 


20  THE    KIVER    AND    THE    SOUND. 

freely  together  as  a  "happy  family;"  and,  what  is  a 
rather  unusual  cii'cumstance,  the  Captain  and  one  of  the 
pilots  joined  unreservedly  with  the  party  wherever  they 
landed,  and  at  their  evening  entertainments.  The  Cap- 
tain pronounced  it  the  most  agi'eeable  and  orderly  party 
he  ever  took  out ;  and  one  of  the  pilots  emphatically  as- 
sui'ed  me  that  he  did  not  believe  the  afiak  could  be  beaten 
in  any  respect,  and  sincerely  hoped  to  see  us  again 
next  year. 

The  train  which  took  us  from  Worcester  gave  up  four 
cars,  with  a  baggage  car,  to  our  exclusive  use.  These 
furnished  rather  limited  quarters,  and  a  few  "  set-a-stand- 
ing,"  like  the  Dutchman's  hen.  We  were  not  more  than 
five  minu^tes  behind  time  in  starting  from  Worcester,  and 
reached  Norwich  at  half  past  nine.  The  cars  stopped  within 
three  or  four  rods  of  the  pier ;  and  before  ten  o'clock  we 
were  all  on  board  the  "  City  of  New  London"  a  fine 
steamer  of  1203  tons. 

The  boat  left  the  wharf  at  about  ten  o'clock,  and  the 
state-rooms  were  sold  by  auction  immediately  after.  The 
sale  was  a  lively  competition  throughout,  prices  being 
of  little  account  to  those  with  whom  state-rooms  were 
just  then  the  things  to  be  desked  above  all  others. 
Forty-one  rooms  were  sold  at  prices  ranging  from  forty- 


THE    RIVER    AND    THE    SOUND.  21 

two  and  a  half  down  to  eleven  and  a  half  dollars, 
aggregating  eight  hundred  and  ninety  dollars.  This 
made  an  average  of  $21.71, — nearly  three  times  as  much 
as  the  average  prices  obtained  last  year,  and  very  ma- 
terially reduced  the  general  expenses  of  the  tri]).  Geo. 
O.  Brigham,  of  Westboro",  bought  a  room  for  $25, 
and  after  the  sale,  was  offered  $40  for  it.  Another 
gentleman  told  me  that  he  paid  $12  for  one,  and  had 
been  offered  $27  to  give  it  up.  Tho^e  who  did  not 
obtain  state-rooms  were  afterwards  provided  with  beiths 
by  lot.  The  party  was  then  separated  by  lot  into  tAvo  di- 
visions, each  to  alternate  with  the  other  in  taking  the  first 
table  at  meals,  as  only  one  hundred  and  thirty  could  be 
seated  at  once.  From  each  division  a  certain  number 
volunteered  or  were  detailed  to  wait  upon  the  other 
table  during  each  day. 

The  Commissary  department  was  in  excellent  hands. 
Henry  Glazier,  of  Worcester,  was  the  steward,  and  soon 
got  his  feeding  apparatus  in  good  working  order. 

The  inaugural  day  of  the  trip  proved  a  magnificent 
one,  although  in  the  morning  it  looked  a  little  unprom- 
ising. A  thin  haze  obscured  the  sun,  and  a  fresh,  de- 
lightful breeze  was  stirring  during  most  of  the  day.  The 
boat  moved  as  steadily  through  the  waters  of  the  Sound 


22  THE    RIVER    AND    THE    SOUND. 

as  a  car  upon  tlie  iron  track,  and  not  a  soul  on  board 
had  a  thought  of  paying  tribute  to  Old  Neptune. 

At  foui-  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  we  entered  the  harbor 
of  New  Haven,  and  in  due  time  had  reached  the  city 
of  many  elms  and  much  learning.  Our  party  was  soon 
on  shore,  intent  upon  seeing  as  many  of  the  sights  as 
the  limited  time  would  permit.  A  few  of  us  visited 
Yale  College  grounds,  and  rendered  a  verdict  then  and 
there,  that  during  the  vacation  of  the  students,  (as  was 
then  the  case,)  there  is  nothing  sp&cially  attractive  about 
the  shades  of  academic  groves  and  piles  of  brick  a 
century  old. 

We  delayed  leaving  New  Haven  till  midnight.  By  this 
arrangement  an  excellent  opportunity  was  afforded  the 
party  to  view  all  the  objects  of  interest  along  the  ap- 
proaches to  New  York  city  by  daylight. 

The  trip  up  the  East  River  and  harbor  was  made  in  the 
early  sunlight  of  a  delightful  day,  wliich  seemed  to  invest 
with  a  peculiar  attraction  the  objects  of  note  along  the 
route.  Breakfast  was  entirely  forgotten  in  the  absorbing 
business  of  gazing  at  and  commenting  upon  the  forts,  the 
institutions  on  Blackwell's  Island,  the  public  buildings 
at  other  points.  Hurl  Gate  and  the  operations  in  progi-ess 
there   for    its   removal,    Jones'  Wood,   the   Battery,   and 


THE    RIVER    AND    THE    SOUND.  23 

the  water  fronts  of  New  York  and  Brooklyn.  We 
reached  Pier  40  at  nine  o'clock  on  Thnrsday  morning. 

The  party  now  improved  the  few  hom"S  at  command 
in  such  ways  as  seemed  most  desirable, —  several  of  us 
visiting  the  far-famed  Greenwood  Cemetery,  where  over 
two  hours  were  profitably  spent  in  rambling  through  one 
of  the  most  enchanting  spots  of  consecrated  gi-ound  in 
this  country.  It  far  surpasses  Mount  Auburn,  beautiful  as 
that  cemetery  is,  although  in  the  way  of  lot  enclosures 
Greenwood  is  much  behind  the  latter,  which  has  discarded 
iron  fences,  and  has  substituted  hammered  granite  borders. 

The  westerly  entrance  to  the  cemetery,  which  is  ap- 
proached by  a  very  wide  avenue,  is  a  magnificent  archi- 
tectural structure  in  free-stone.  The  central  portion,  or 
carriage  way,  consists  of  two  arches,  over  each  of  which, 
on  each  side,  is  a  large  and  elaborately  cut  bas-relief, 
illustrating  scriptural  references  to  death  and  the  resur- 
rection. To  the  right  and  left  are  entrances  for  visitors 
on  foot,  and  lobbies  furnished  with  nicely  upholstered 
double  chairs. 

In  this  cemetery  is  the  famous  monument  to  the  memo- 
ry of  Charlotte  Cauda,  who  was  killed  on  the  seventeenth 
anniversary  of  her  birth  day.  It  was  sculptured  in  Italy, 
in  white   marble.     It  is  in  the  Gothic  style,  and  in  the 


24  THE    UIVER    AND    THE    SOUND. 

central  arch  is  a  statue  of  Charlotte  Canda.  It  cost 
000,  (the  bulk  of  the  fortune  Miss  Canda  would  have 
inherited,)  and  makes  the  smallest  show  for  the  money 
expended  that  I  have  ever  seen  in  a  structure  of  this 
character.  The  details  are  small  and  entirely  fail  to  Y>ro- 
duce  the  eifect  of  a  bolder  and  less  elaborate  style.  1  Avas 
informed  that  the  remains  of  Miss  Canda  have  been 
removed  from  this  costly  resting  place  to  another  in  the 
city  of  Paris. 

Another  monumental  sti'ucture  worthy  of  note,  is  a  life- 
size  statue  of  Captain  Correga,  in  marble,  standing  upon 
a  granite  pedestal.  The  Caj)tain  is  rei)resented  as  dressed 
in  citizen's  garb,  and  wearing  u])on  his  head  an  old  fash- 
ioned hea\y  topped  fur  cap.  In  his  hands  he  holds  a 
sextant,  with  which  he  is  taking  an  observation.  This 
statue  was  erected  by  the  Captain  himself,  seventeen 
years  before  his  death.  The  instrument  he  holds  is  the 
identical  one  used  l)y  him  during  his  voyages,  and  was  not 
placed  in  position  till  after  his  death. 

One  of  the  chief  objects  of  interest  is  the  "Pilot's 
Monument,"  situated  on  nearly  the  highest  point  of  land  in 
the  cemetery,  and  commanding  a  full  and  magniticent  view 
of  the  bay  of  New  York.  The  monument  was  erected 
by  the  New  York   City   Government   in   perpetuation  of 


THE    EIVER    AND    THE    SOUND.  25 

the  memory  of  a  pilot  Avho  lost  his  life  several  years  ago 
while  in  the  discharge  of  his  hazardous  duties. 

Still  another  noticeable  featm-e  of  this  cemetery  is  the 
Firemen's  Monument  and  sm-roundings.  which  are  dedi- 
cated to  the  memory  of  the  brave  men  who  have  sacrificed 
then-  lives  in  the  discharge  of  their  duty  as  firemen.  The 
monument  was  erected  by  the  Fu-e  Department  of  the  city 
of  New  York. 

The  style  now  somewhat  in  vogue  here  in  the  erection 
of  family  vaults,  is  to  have  them  in  two  divisions, —  a 
vestibule,  and  a  series  of  sej^ulchral  niches.  The  vestibule 
is  reached  tlu'ough  a  door  of  open  u'on-work  more  or  less 
ornamental.  Opposite  the  door  the  wall  of  the  vestibule 
is  in  panels  of  polished  marble,  nearly  square,  somewhat 
resembling  a  series  of  di-awers,  minus  the  handles.  Each 
of  these  panels  can  be  removed,  and  forms  the  head  of  a 
receptacle  for  a  single  coffin,  which  being  deposited,  the 
head  or  panel  is  sealed  into  its  place,  and  the  inscription 
placed  upon  it.  Through  the  open-work  of  the  door  the 
passer-by  can  easily  read  all  of  these  inscriptions.  Some- 
times vases  of  flowers  ai"e  kept  upon  stands  in  the  centre 
of  the  vestibule,  and  in  one  of  them  I  saw  a  stand  and 
two  chahs,  and  on  the  former  a  work  basket  and  contents. 

Niblo,,  of  theatrical  fame,  has  recently  erected  a  vault  on 

3 


26  THE   RIVER   AND   THE    SOUND. 

this  plan,  one  of  the  most  noticeable  in  the  cemetery. 
The  remains  of  his  wife  are  there  deposited,  and  on  the 
panel  which  marks  her  resting  place  are  the  followng 
pathetic  lines : 

All  that's  beautiful  in  woman, 

All  we  in  her  nature  love, 
All  that's  good  in  all  that's  human, 

Passed  this  gate  to  God  above. 

Several  of  the  recently  erected  monuments  are  of  granite 
with  highly  polished  tablets,  on  which  the  inscriptions  are 
cut.  The  polishing  of  the  granite  darkens  the  surface, 
and  the  contrast  between  this  and  the  letters  cut  through 
it  renders  the  inscriptions  legible  from  any  point  of  view. 
One  very  lai'ge  monument  has  its  enthe  smi'ace  polished, 
and  is  really  one  of  the  most  impressive  objects  in  the 
gi'ounds. 

It  is  altogether  impossible  to  \nsit  in  two  hours  one  half 
that  is  worth  seeing  in  the  four  hundi'ed  and  more  acres 
of  Greenwood  Cemetery,  or  to  give  anything  like  an 
approach  to  a  description  of  it  in  a  newspaper  article.  A 
day  might  be  spent  in  noting,  and  a  book  like  this  filled  in 
describing,  the  many  objects  of  interest  within  its  limits. 

In  going  to  and  retm-ning  from  Greenwood  Cemeteiy, 
our  party  visited  that  mammoth  sink  of  filth  and  wretch- 


THE    RIVER    AND    THE    SOUND.  27 

ediiess,  the  Fulton  Market.  The  stalls  are  unfit  for  Massa- 
chusetts hog  pens,  and  the  hucksters  who  occupy  them  ai"e 
diity  and  saucy.  If,  as  the  good  Book  intimates,  there  is 
any  connection  between  cleanliness  and  godliness,  one 
can  not  wonder  at  the  depraved  condition  of  the  great  city, 
after  seeing  this  insuiferable  nuisance  in  its  midst. 

Of  course  no  one  goes  to  New  York  now  without 
seeing  Central  Park ;  but  most  of  om*  party  postponed 
then-  \4sit  to  that  place  till  theii'  return  to  the  city  on 
Satm-day. 

At  about  four  o'clock  on  the  afternoon  of  Thm'sday  we 
swung  out  from  the  pier,  and  commenced  om*  royal  trip  up 
the  Hudson  River — the  Rhine  of  America  —  whose  le- 
gendary, historical  and  literary  associations  render  doubly 
enchanting  the  grand  and  beautiful  scenery  along  its 
banks.  The  great  city  stretches  along  the  eastern  shore 
for  miles  above  our  starting  point ;  and  on  the  opposite 
side  lie  Jersey  City,  Hoboken  and  Weehawken.  Between 
the  latter  two  places  are  the  "  Elj'sian  Fields,"  a  popular 
Sunday  resort  of  the  Germans,  where  music,  dancing  and 
lager  beer  prevail.  Weehawken  is  noted  as  the  scene  of 
the  fatal  duel  between  Hamilton  and  Bm-r. 

And  now  for  miles  and  miles  along  the  jiictm-esque 
hights  to  the  right  appears  an  almost  continuous  succession 


28  THE    rilVER    AND    THE    SOUND. 

of  stately  mansions,  with  beautifnl  lawns,  parks,   gardens 
and  conservatories.     Here  and  there,  too,  are  lovely  sub 
urban  Adllages  and  thriving  towns.     Among  the  points  of 
special  interest  in  .this  section  of  the  panorama,  are  the  N. 
Y.  Lunatic   Asylum ;    the    house  in    which   the   Earl    of 
Devon  lived;  the  house  occupied  by   Joseph   Bonaparte 
while  an  exile  in  this  country ;  that   in  which  Audubon, 
the  celebrated  Naturalist,  lived  and  died ;  the  N.  Y.  Deaf 
and  Dumb  Institute ;  The  site  of  Fort  Washington ;  the 
Roman   Catholic   Convent   and   Academy   of  Mount   St. 
Vincent ;  the  castellated  mansion  built,  but  never  occupied, 
by  Edwin  Forrest ;  Yonkers,  the   home  of  Mary  Phillips, 
who  might  have  wedded  Washington  had  she  been   "will- 
in'  ; "  the  point  from  which  Cornwallis  crossed  the   river 
in  1776  to    captm'e    Fort   Lee ;    Dobb's   Ferry,  noted  in 
Revolutionary  history  as  a  place  for  the  concentration  and 
encampment  of  troops — both  British  and  American ;  and 
where  a  British  commission  landed  to  intercede  for  the 
life  of  Maj.  Andre. 

But  while  we  have  all  this  to  charm  and  interest  us 
on  the  right,  we  have  on  the  opposite  shore  that  wonder- 
ful formation,  the  Palisades,  whose  precipitous  fronts  of 
traprock  rise  like  giant  sentinels  from  three  hundred  to 
five  hundi'ed  feet  in  air,  presenting  one  of  the  gi'andest 


THE    RIVER    AND    THE    SOUND.  ,29 

pictures  of  American  scenery.  They  commence  ten  miles 
above  om*  starting  point,  and  continue  more  or  less  ab- 
ruptly about  fifteen  miles. 

We  aj'e  now  opposite  Irvington,  twenty-five  miles  from 
New  York ;  and  there,  just  north  of  the  \allage,  are  the 
picturesque  house  and  snrroundings  which  constitute  the 
world-renowned  "  Sunny  Side,"  once  the  home  of  Wash- 
ington Irving.  Three  miles  farther  on  is  Tarrytown, 
where  stands  in  full  view,  overlooking  the  river,  the 
"Paulding  manor,"  built  of  white  marble,  and  pronoimced 
one  ot  the  finest  specimens  of  Elizabethan  architecture 
in  this  country.  Just  above  us  is  the  valley  of  "  Sleepy 
Hollow,"  immortalized  by  Irving.  Three  miles  above 
Tarrytown  is  the  well  known  Sing  Sing  State  Prison. 
The  buildings  are  quite  extensive  and  stand  close  to  the 
water's  edge.  They  are  built  of  white  marble,  quarried 
in  the  vicinity  —  a  material  not  commonly  used  in  resi- 
dences of  this  character.  Opposite  Sing  Sing  is  Rockland 
Lake,  from  which  200,000  tons  of  ice  are  annually  cut 
for  the  New  York  market. 

The  shades  of  evening  have  now  settled  down  around 

us,  and  the  balance  of  the  trip  to  West  Point  is  made  by 

starlight.     It  is  a  warm,  still,  clear  night ;  and  the  scenery 

through  which  we  so  quietly  glide,  instead  of  charming  us 

3* 


30  THE    RIVER   AND    THE    SOUND. 

as  before  witli  its  details,  now  becomes  impressive  in  its 
shadowy  indistinctness. 

Four  miles  above  Sing  Sing  we  pass  Croton  Point,  off 
which  the  Vulture  anchored  when  she  brought  Andre  to 
meet  Arnold,  and  where  a  gun  was  trained  upon  that 
vessel,  and  di'ove  it  down  the  river.  Two  miles  more  take 
us  to  Stony  Point,  a  bold,  rocky  eminence,  crowned  by  a 
light  house,  on  the  west  side  of  the  river.  Here  the 
stream  is  only  half  a  mile  wide,  which  fact,  together 
with  the  commanding  positions  afforded  by  the  neighbor- 
ing hills,  rendered  this  an  important  pass  during  the  Rev- 
olution. Fortifications  were  erected  here  and  at  Ver- 
planck  Point  opposite,  and  were  the  scenes  of  some  hard 
fought  battles.  Very  near  Stony  Point  is  "Treason  Hill," 
and  the  house  in  which  Andre  and  Arnold  met  and 
arranged  the  details  for  the  surrender  of  West  Point. 
Just  above  Stony  Point,  on  the  same  side  of  the  river, 
a  lofty  limestone  cliff  arises  from  near  the  water's  edge ; 
and  at  the  foot  of  the  cliff  are  the  "Tomkins  Lime  Kilns," 
looking  like  a  stone  fortress. 

AYe  come  now  into  the  grandeur  of  a  night  scene 
upon  the  Hudson.  After  passing  Stony  Point,  the  river 
is  narrow  all  the  way  to  West  Point,  and  soon 
the  ma_iestic  Highlands    begin.     On  either  side  are  lofty 


THE    EIVEK    AND    THE    SOUND.  31 

peaks  and  rocky  crags,  which  in  the  uncertain  starlight 
seem  to  overhang  the  river  within  easy  stone's  throw  of 
the  spectator.  Among  these,  on  the  left,  is  the  long, 
ridge-like  elevation,  known  as  the  "  Donderberg,"  or 
Thimder  Mountain,  1,000  feet  high,  and  on  the  right  is 
"Anthony's  Nose,"  over  1,200  feet  high.  The  former,  ac- 
cording to  a  superstition  recorded  by  Irving,  was  once  peo- 
pled with  a  crowd  of  little  imps  in  sugar  loaf  hats  and  short 
doublets,  who  "  tumbled  head  over  heels  in  the  rack  and 
mist,"  and  brought  down  frightful  squalls  on  such  craft  as 
failed  to  drop  the  peaks  of  their  mainsails  in  salute  to 
the  Dutch  goblin  who  kept  the  Donderberg.  On  the  rocky 
liights  opposite  Anthony's  Nose,  stood  forts  Clinton  and 
Montgomery,  during  the  Revolution,  and  across  the  river 
was  stretched  a  heavy  boom, —  a  huge  iron  chain,  on  tim- 
ber floats, — to  prevent  the  upward  passage  of  British 
vessels.  In  1777  Sir  Henry  Clinton  captured  these  forts 
and  destroyed  the  boom. 

On  a  commanding  hight  on  the  west  side  of  the  river 
is  Cozzens'  Hotel,  brilliant  with  hundreds  of  lighted 
windows ;  and  just  above,  and  within  a  mile  of  West 
Point  Landing,  is  the  pier  where,  at  nine  o'clock,  we 
made  fast  for  the  night. 

At  eight  o'clock  on  Friday  morning  we  cast  off  from 


32  THE    RIVER    AND    THE    SOUND. 

the  pier,  and  moved  up  to  West  Point  Landing.  A 
messenger  had  been  sent  forward  with  a  request  to  per- 
mit our  party  to  land  and  ^dsit  the  grounds ;  but  he  at 
first  received  a  flat  refusal,  in  conformity  to  a  rule  adopted 
as  a  protection  against  the  New  York  roughs  and  loose 
women  whose  visits  had  become  a  nuisance.  On  being 
informed,  however,  that  we  represented  the.  eminent 
gi'avity  of  Massachusetts,  and  had  got  West  Point  on 
the  brain,  the  commanding  officer  at  once  granted  our 
request. 

The  United  States  Militaiy  Academy  buildings  and 
grounds  occupy  an  area  of  about  fifty  acres,  on  a  plateau 

160   to    180   feet   above   the   river.     This  j^lateau,  or  the 

» 

noilheasterly  corner  of  it,  forms  a  j^rojecting  point,  around 
which  the  river  makes  a  shoi't  turn  to  the  left,  and  then 
resumes  its  southerly  course ;  and  being  on  the  west  side  of 
the  river  its  very  appropriate  name  is  West  Point. 

The  grounds  are  reached  from  the  landing  by  a  steep 
road  cut  in  the  rocky  hillside.  On  the  smooth,  perpendic- 
ular face  of  this  cut,  appears  "Bunker  Hill,  1775,"  in 
deeply  sunk  letters  nearly  four  feet  high.  It  rather  looked 
to  us  hke  an  attempt,  on  the  part  of  New  York,  to  steal 
Massachusetts  thunder. 

To  my  mind,  the  most  beautiful  and    interesting    por- 


THE    RIVER    AND    THE    SOUND.  33 

tiou  of  the  Hudson  river  is  that  which  may  be  seen  at . 
one  sweep  of  the  eye  about  West  Point,  and  for  nine 
miles  dii'ectly  up  the  river.  These  \'iews  from  the  north- 
erly extremity  of  the  plateau  contain  as  much  of  gTandeur 
aud  historic  interest  as  I  expect  ever  to  find  in  one  land- 
scape;  and  they  well  repaid  me  —  and  many  others,  I 
believe — -for  the  entu'e  expense  of  the  trip.  Before  us  is  the 
river,  with  its  smoothly  gliding  craft,  its  romantic  islands 
and  its  wnding  shore  beyond.  To  the  north  are  the 
Highlands  in  all  then'  glory,  and  between  them  stretches 
the  river  away  to  Newbm'gh,  indistinctly  seen  at  a  distance 
of  nine  miles.  At  the  northeast  angle  of  the  jjlateau, 
fully  commanding  this  pass,  is  Fort  Clinton,  an  earth- 
work thrown  up  in  1778,  and  on  the  extreme  point  is 
Roe's  Hotel.  Opposite  the  angle  is  Constitution  Island, 
which  was  heavily  fortified  during  the  revolution ;  and 
remains  of  its  old  batteries  may  still  be  seen.  A  boom 
was  also  tlu-own  across  the  river,  between  the  island  and 
the  Point,  consisting  of  an  immense  chain  bu')yed  up 
on  logs,  each  link  of  the  chain  weighing  120  lbs.  A 
portion  of  the  chain  is  still  preserved  here,  and  we  after- 
wards saw  three  links  of  it  at  the  Redwood  Library 
in  Newport. 

To  the  west  rises,  as  a  back-ground.  Mount  Indepeud- 


34  THE    RIVER    AND    THE    SOUND. 

ence,  fur  up  whose  rough  i^recipitous  side  —  nearly  600 
feet  above  the  river  —  stand  the  gray  ruins  of  Fort 
Putnam ;  and  at  tlie  base  of  the  mountain,  and  looking 
ouf  upon  the  Academy  grounds  through  groves  of  shade 
trees,  are  the  residences  of  the  officers.  At  the  southerly 
side  of  the  plateau,  and  at  right  angles  with  the  river,  is 
the  range  of  Academy  buildings,  attractive  in  their  archi- 
tecture and  surroundings.  The  westerly  half  of  the 
area  thus  enclosed  is  somewhat  rolling,  and  is  intersected 
with  Avalks  and  dotted  M-ith  fine  shade  trees.  The  easterly 
portion  is  the  parade  ground,  and  is  about  as  level  as  a 
floor. 

Among  the  objects  of  interest  are  the  monument  and 
garden  of  Kosciusko ;  and  the  monumental  statue  of 
Major  General  Sedgwick,  who  fell  at  Spottsylvania,  and 
for  whom  the  Grand  Army  post  in  Westboro'  is  named. 
The  statue  is  in  bronze,  standing  on  a  gi'anite  pedestal, 
and  represents  the  General  in  full  military  dress  and 
attitude.  In  a  grove  of  elms  are  several  trophy  guns, 
which  were  captured  during  the  revolution,  the  war  of 
1812-15,  the  Mexican  war,  and  the  late  rebellion. 

The  whole  neighborhood  abounds  with  interesting  mili- 
tary associations.  Here  it  was  that  in  1780,  Benedict 
Ai-nold,  of  hated  memory,  assumed  command,    and   soon 


THE    RIVER    AND    THE    SOUND.  35 

after  sought  to  betray  his  trust.  On  the  opposite  sliore 
is  the  house  he  occupied  as  headquarters,  and  where  he 
received  the  news  of  Andi-e's  captm-e.  Xear  it,  in  the 
bank  of  the  river,  is  a  little  cove,  whence  Arnold  started  in 
his  hasty  flight  to  the  Vulture,  which  lay  below,  leaving  his 
wife  to  entertain  the  unsuspecting  Washington.  Here 
were  educated  many  traitors  of  our  own  time — among  them 
Robert  E.  Lee,  Beam-egard,  the  two  Johnsons  and  others ; 
but  here,  too,  Avere  trained  up  for  the  future  salvation  of  the 
Republic,  brave  and  taithful  officers  like  Grant,  Sherman, 
Sheridan  and  many  others. 

There  are  about  250  cadets  here  now,  and  then-  educa- 
tion costs  the  government  five  thousand  dollars  each.  They 
were  in  camp  when  we  were  there,  as  they  always  are 
during  the  months  of  July  and  Augnist. 

Shortly  after  our  arrival  there  was  an  artillery  diill  and 
practice-firing  by  the  famous  Reno  Battery.  Firing 
during  the  evolutions  had  been  omitted  for  about  a  fort- 
night, but  was  practised  to-day  for  our  sj^ecial  entertain- 
ment. The  precision  Avith  which  the  various  movements  of 
this  battery  are  performed  by  both  men  and  horses,  is 
something  remarkable,  the  latter  seeming  to  understand 
the  bugle  calls  by  which  the  orders  are  gi-s-en,  fully  as  well 
as  the  men. 


36  THE    RIVER    AND    THE    SOUND. 

There  was  also  some  target  fii-ing  from  the  water  bat- 
tery north  of  the  Point.  The  tai'get  was  stationed  across 
the  bend  in  the  river,  and  the  balls  could  be  distinctly 
seen  to  strike  in  the  bank  behind  it.  Each  discharge  of 
the  gun  was  followed  by  one  of  the  most  singular  echoes 
mortal  man  ever  heard.  It  is  caused  by  the  hights  and 
valleys  which  skirt  the  river  above,  and  sounds  very  nuich 
like  rip-rip-rip-rip,  a  dozen  times  sharply  and  quickly 
repeated. 

At  ten  o'clock  we  returned  to  the  boat,  and  proceeded 
on  our  upward  trip.  After  passing  the  double  bend  in 
the  river,  forming  the  Point,  we  came  into  the  heart  of 
the  Highlands,  which  rise  abruptly  on  either  side,  from 
twelve  hundred  to  fifteen  hundred  feet  in  hight.  Among 
the  tallest  of  these  peaks  are  Cro'-Nest,  the  Storm  King, 
Mount  Taurus,  Butter  Hill  and  Break-Neck  Hill.  On  the 
northerly  slope  of  the  Storm  King  is  "Idlewild,"  the 
home  of  the  late  N.  P.  Willis. 

We  made  no  stops  after  leaving  West  Point,  till  we 
reached  the  city  of  Hudson,  the  farthest  point  of  our  trip, 
at  half-past  four  o'clock  p.  m. 

The  arrival  at  Hudson  of  such  an  expedition  as  om-s, 
came  very  near  astonishing  the  natives.  In  an  extended 
notice  of  the  event  the  Hudson  Star  of  the  next  morning 


THE    RIVER    AND    THE    SOUND.  37 

spoke  of  "the  large  and  beautiful  Sound  steamer,  City  of 
New  London,  which  made  its  unexpected  appearance  in 
the  channel  opposite  the  city  yesterday  afternoon,  creating 
quite  an  excitement ;  for  never  before  in  our  remembrance 
has  a  vessel  of  this  class  landed  at  our  docks  or  passed 
up  the  river." 

We  had  between  three  and  four  hours  to  spend  in 
Hudson,  and  neai'ly  all  of  our  party  improved  the  time  in 
looking  about  the  place.  Most  of  us  walked,  but  Capt. 
G.  H.  Power,  a  prominent  citizen,  hastily  mustered  two  or 
three  carriages  and  placed  them  at  the  disposal  of  as 
many  of  om-  party  as  they  would  accommodate.  The 
officers  of  om*  expedition  were  assm'ed  by  the  Mayor  of 
the  city,  that  had  he  known  of  our  coming  we  should  have 
had  a  reception  worthy  of  the  occasion. 

Hudson   is  a  quaint   old  Dutch  town,  (or  ''city,")  115 

miles  from   New    York.     It  was   named   after   Hendiick 

Hudson,    who    discovered   the   noble   river   on   which   it 

stands,  and  who  supposed,  till  after  he  passed  this  point, 

that  he  had  found  the  long-sought  "  Northwest  Passage"  to 

India.     It  was   incorporated  as  a  city   eighty-fom*  years 

ago,  and  there  are  but  fom'  charters  in  the  State  which 

ante-date  it.     The  population  stands  at  about  8,000,  and 

there  it  has  probably  stood  for  the  last  fifty  years.     It  is 

4 


38  THE    RIVER    AND    THE    SOUND. 

only  a  few  miles  from  the  traditional  scene  of  Rij")  Van 
Winkle's  long  nap ;  and  it  seems  as  though  the  same 
sleepy  spell  had  brooded  over  the  city  ever  since. 

Of  the  churches  here,  two  are  very  fine  and  nearly  new, 
one  being  of  freestone,  and  one  of  pressed  brick ;  but 
most  of  the  buildings  have  an  ancient,  dull  look ;  on  the 
principal  business  street,  as  elsewhere,  they  are  mainly 
two-story  wooden  structures.  The  only  hotel  I  saw  looked 
very  like  an  unpretentioits  country  tavern ;  and  one  bar- 
ber's shop  and  one  three-cent  news  stand,  were  the 
reward  of  my  long  search  for  those  land-marks  of  ci\dli- 
zation. 

Just  north  of  the  landing  is  a  blufi'neai'ly  100  feet  above 
the  river ;  and  on  its  summit  is  a  j:)ublic  square  and  ])rom- 
enade,  handsomely  laid  out  and  ornamented  with  trees  and 
shrubbery.  From  this  look-out  Ave  had  a  charming  ^dew 
of  the  river  below,  and  of  the  country  along  the  opposite 
shore,  with  the  pictm-esque  Catskill  Mountains  as  a  back- 
ground. A  portion  of  the  city  rises  to  a  still  greater 
hight  than  this  plateau. 

At  about  sunset  the  steamer  SAVung  off  into  the  channel 
and  om-  homeward  trip  commenced.  As  we  moved  away 
we  made  the  hills  echo  with  cheers  for  the  city,  and  for 
Capt.  Power  and  others,  Avhich  were  responded  to  by  the 


THE    EIVER    AND    THE    SOUND.  39 

'  crowds  on  the  Av^harves  and  Promenade  Hill,  with  steam 
whistle  accompaniments  from  the  workshops  and  locomo- 
tives near  the  river.  A  party  of  boys  who  were  preparing 
to  bathe  in  one  of  the  docks,  hastily  completed  the  dis- 
robmg  process,  and  joined  in  the  general  commotion  by 
swinging  their  shirts  aloft  and  dancing  and  yelling  with 
desperate  energy. 

The  Star  says,  in  concluding  the  article  before  refeiTed 
to :  "  The  whole  affair  was  of  so  pleasant  a  chai-acter  that 
it  will  be  long  remembered  by  those  who  had  the  pleasm-e 
of  being  spectators." 

After  a  delightful  moonlight  ride  of  fom*  hom-s,  we 
reached  the  wharf  at  Poughkeepsie  and  made  fast  for  the 
night.  Dming  this  passage,  many  of  the  party  passed  the 
time  on  the  decks  in  singing  snatches  of  songs,  and  in 
conversation  and  games,  while  others  made  themselves 
comfortable  in  the  cabin  below,  ^^Ath  cards,  stories  and  the 
piano. 

Soon  after  daylight  Saturday  morning,  we  took  a  stroll 
about  town. 

Unlike  Hudson,  Poughkeepsie  is  a  wide-awake,  thriving 
place.  It  has  been  incorporated  as  a  city  but  fifteen  years ; 
yet  the  population  is  more  than  twice  that  of  Hudson. 
The  bulk  of  the  city  is  built  on  a  table  land  150  to  200 


40  THE    EIVER    AND    THE    SOUND. 

feet  above  the  river,  with  a  slope  more  or  less  steep  to  the 
river  bank.  Next  the  river  the  streets  are  duty  and  un- 
attractive, but  as  they  go  back  to  higher  ground  they 
rapidly  improve.  Many  of  them  are  ornamented  with  fine 
shade  trees.  I  passed  through  two  or  three  streets,  the 
caiTiage-ways  of  which  were  completely  over-arched  by 
double  rows  of  tulij)  poplars. 

Here  are  some  of  the  finest  mansions  in  the  State,  and 
the  extensive  grounds  surrounding  them  are  thrown  open 
to  the  public. 

Several  important  manufacturing  establishments  are  lo- 
cated here  —  one  of  them  the  famous  Vassar  Brewery. 
Vassar  is  dead,  but  his  name  will  be  perpetuated  by  the 
extensive  female  college,  standing  in  the  easterly  part  of 
the  city,  and  which  Avas  founded  and  endowed  by  his 
munificent  liberality. 

There  are  other  noted  educational  institutions  here, 
among  them  Eastman's  Commercial  College,  one  depait- 
ment  of  which  a  few  of  us  visited,  and  saw  some  of  the 
largest  pen  di*awings  ever  executed. 

South  of  the  city  is  the  residence  of  S.  F.  B.  Morse,  the 
inventor  of  the  telegi-aph. 

At  eight  o'clock,  having  taken  in  a  fresh  supply  of  milk 
and  green  corn,  in  exchange  for  three  or  four  delinquent 


THE  ei\t:r  axd  the  sound.  41 

members  of  om*  company,  we  left  Poughkeepsie,  and  in  two 
hom'S  reached  the  charming  little  city  of  Newbnrgh,  on 
the  west  side  of  the  river. 

The  gi'eat  centre  of  attraction  at  Newburojh  is  an  old 
stone  house  which  Washington  occiipied  as  liis  head- 
quarters dm-ing  the  latter  part  of  the  revolution ;  and  we 
visited  it  in  full  force.  The  property  is  owned  and  kept  in 
order  by  the  State  of  Xew  York.  The  house  stands  on  a 
lofty  teiTace,  facing  the  river,  of  which  there  is  an  un- 
obsti-ucted  xiew.  Cannon  are  i)lanted  on  the  lawn  in  front, 
and  near  by  is  a  flag-staff,  and  a  brownstone  monument 
in  memory  of  Uzall  Knapp,  the  last  of  Washington's  Life 
Guards. 

One  of  the  rooms  of  this  venerable  building  was  used 
by  Washington  for  the  transaction  of  business ;  here  he 
issued  his  proclamation  for  the  cessation  of  hostilities, 
March  19th,  1783;  and  here,  on  the  thu-d  of  November 
following,  he  disbanded  the  American  army.  In  the  cen- 
tre of  a  room  is  a  stick  of  timber  pointed  ^\dth  u-on,  which 
was  part  of  a  cheveaux  de  /rise  sunk  in  the  river  in 
1780,  to  prevent  the  passage  of  British  war  sloops;  here, 
too,  are  antique  guns  of  monstrous  length,  swords,  knap- 
sacks, saddles,  wooden  canteens,  an  old  battle  flag,  conti- 

4* 


42  THE    EIVER    AND    THE    SOUND. 

nental  di-esses ;  and  a  cocked  hat  worn  by  Robert  Waugh 
fi-om  1760  to  1816. 

In  another  room  is  a  case  containing  a  collection  of  old 
books,  continental  money,  powder  horns,  part  of  a  musket 
used  and  broken  at  Bunker  Hill,  and  many  other  articles. 
Hanging  against  the  wall  is  a  Hessian  officer's  boot  of 

o      o       o 

cm-ious  proportions  —  the  length  of  leg  being  14  inches, 
its  cu'cumference,  both  at  top  and  ankle,  21;|  inches,  and 
bottom  of  heel  4f  inches  across.  Near  it  hangs  a 
captm-ed  scarf  of  Santa  Anna.  Here,  too,  under  the  old 
fashioned,  enormous  stone  chimney,  hangs  an  ancient  tea 
Jiettle,  which  once  did  duty  for  the  Father  of  his  Country. 
In  the  thii'd  room  is  a  lock  of  Washington's  hau*  and 
a  piece  of  his  coffin,  his  military  orders,  proclamations, 
rolls,  and  other  documents ;  also,  an  ancient  sofa,  and 
the  piano  of  Gen.  Clinton,  the  first  ever  brought  into 
Orange  County. 

Those  of  oiu'  j^arty  who  were  left  behind  at  Poughkeep- 
sie  here  rejoined  us,  and  we  proceeded  on  our  way  to  New 
York,  arriving  there  at  five  o'clock  p.  m. 

No  Puritanical  scniples  concerning  Satm-day  night 
amusements  hamper  the  New  York  conscience,  and  the 
theatres  are  in  full  blast  on  that  evening.    Being  among  the 


THE   EIVEE    AND    THE   SOUND.  43 

Romans,  nearly  150  of  us  ventiu-ed  to  do  as  the  Romans 
do,  and  "went  in."  We  visited  Booth's  new  theatre, 
whose  imposing  exterior  of  hammered  New  England  gi-an-. 
ite  is  eclipsed  by  its  gorgeous  interior  finish,  decorations 
and  upholstery.  It  is  a  Dramatic  Palace,  and  probably 
has  no  superior  in  this  country. 

The  play  was  "Rip  Van  Winkle," — an  appropriate 
finale  to  om'  Hudson  River  trip.  It  was  having  a  great 
"  run  "  at  the  time  we  were  there,  Tvith  Joseph  Jefferson  as 
the  principal  chai'acter.  It  was  specially  written  for  him 
by  Bom'cicault ;  and  his  consummate  impersonation  of  the 
easy,  good-natured,  good-for-nothing  Dutchman,  must  fully 
realize  the  author's  conception  of  the  character.  Says  a 
critic:  "From  first  to  last  he  portrays,  with  exquisite 
touches  of  humor  and  pathos,  a  character  which  is  un- 
fortunately too  familiar  to  us  in  the  common  walks  of  life  ; 
and  succeeds  in  showing  the  truly  human  elements  of  a 
tender,  loving  nature  vmder  all  the  squalor,  debasement 
and  wretchedness  of  a  dissipated  career."  No  other  actor 
attempts  this  version  of  the  legend,  as  indeed  no  other 
can,  the  play  being  controlled  by  copy-right. 

Sunday  in  New  York!  Its  sights  and  sounds  are 
enough  to  set  a  straight-laced  Massachusetts  man's  teeth 


44  THE    RIVER    AND    THE    SOUND. 

on  edge.  Before  our  somewhat  late  breakfast  was  over, 
well  filled  excui'sion  steamers  were  sailing  gaily  past  ns, 
bound  for  Hoboken,  the  Elysian  Fields,  Coney  Island  and 
other  Sunday  resorts.  Then*  passengers,  I  should  judge, 
were  not  particularly  eminent  for  piety.  Bands  of  music 
were  on  board,  and  on  the  upper  deck  of  one  of  the  boats 
were  several  cotillon  sets  in  full  swing,  under  the  inspka- 
tion  of  some  excellent  but  rather  profane  music. 

Religious  ser\ices  Avere  held  on  oiu-  steamer  day  and 
evening,  which  were  well  attended ;  but  many  of  om*  party 
thought  then-  opportunity  for  seeing  Sodom  in  its  Sunday 
clothes,  ought  to  be  improved,  and  governed  themselves 
accordingly. 

Here  and  there,  in  convenient  places,  a  game  of  base  ball 
or  some  other  equally  devotional  exercise  was  in  progress  ; 
di'inking  saloons  and  Jew  clothing  shops  were  di'i\dng  a 
thi'ifty  business;  and  in  some  sections  of  the  city  fruit 
stands  were  almost  as  frequent  as  the  street  corners. 

Dming  the  afternoon  and  evening  a  large  majority  of 
our  party  visited  Central  Park,  the  great  popular  Sunday 
resort  of  both  citizens  and  strangers ;  and  no  better  invest- 
ment of  time  or  money  can  be  made  by  sight-seers  than  in 
riding  Over  its  broad,  smooth,  winding  avenues,  strolling 


THE    RIVER    AND    THE    SOUND.  45 

through  its  cozy,  retired  walks,  or  inspecting  its  costly  and 
elaborate  works  of  art,  princijjal  among  which  are  th^ 
Bi'idges  and  Terrace. 

The  park  is  two  and  a  half  miles  long  and  half  a  mile 
wide,  and  contains  862  acres,  nearly  one  foui-th  of  which 
is  water.  The  two  reservou-s  contain  142  acres,  and  the 
Lake,  one  of  the  most  attractive  featm'es  of  the  landscape, 
contains  twenty  acres.  There  are  nine  and  a  half  miles  of 
carriage  roads,  five  and  a  half  miles  of  bridle  roads  and 
twenty-seven  mUes  of  walks. 

Here  at  least  the  banditti  horde,  known  as  hackmen, 
who  prey  upon  the  public  with  their  swindling  charges, 
are  kept  at  bay.  Caniages  owned  and  run  by  the  city, 
and  capable  of  seating  twelve  persons,  make  regular'  trips 
around  the  Park.  It  requires  about  an  hour  and  a  half  to 
complete  the  circuit,  and  the  veiy  reasonable  fare  is 
twenty-five  cents.  If  the  diiver  is  loquacious,  as  om's  was, 
he  will  call  attention  to  points  of  special  interest.  At  the 
upper  end  of  the  Park  we  had  a  ^-iew  of  the  celebrated 
High  Bridge  at  Harlem. 

The  City  also  provides  boats  at  the  Lake,  which  wUl 
take  you  the  cu'cuit  of  its  romantic,  winding  shore  for  ten 
cents.  On  our  trij)  we  passed  several  bridges,  under  one 
of  which  the   oarsman  srave  the  aninwale  of  the  boat  a 


46  THE    TJIYER    AND    THE    SOUKD. 

smart  rap  witli  his  oar,  and  the  echo  sounded  like  the  re- 
port of  a  pistol. 

Opposite  the  Park,  at  the  corner  of  Seventh  Avenue 
and  Fifty-ninth  street,  is  the  "  Central  Park  Garden,"  con- 
sisting of  a  large  concert  hall,  from  which  a  dainking 
saloon  opens  on  one  side,  a  smoking  room  on  the  other, 
and  a  "  Garden  "  in  the  rear.  The  garden  is  of  somewhat 
limited  area,  and  contains  a  fountain,  a  little  shi'ubbery, 
two  tiers  of  stalls,  and  some  tables  and  chairs.  Concerts 
of  instrumental  music  are  given  here  eveiy  evening  of  the 
week,  and  on  Simday  afternoon,  by  Theodore  Thomas's 
umivalled  band ;  and  the  delightful  strains  can  be  listened 
to  in  the  hall,  or  from  the  garden.  The  hall  is  also  pro- 
vided mth  tables ;  and  the  bibulously  inclined  can  have 
theu'  brandy  and  a  straw,  or  a  whisky  straight,  brought 
to  them  either  in  the  hall  or  the  garden,  by  one  of  the 
waiters  in  attendance.  This  way  of  spending  Sunday 
would  not  be  Avarmly  encom-aged  in  Westboro',  but  in 
New  York  they  think  differently. 

We  left  New  York  at  midnight,  bound  for  Newport. 
Our  route  lay  outside  of  Block  Island,  and  early  in  the 
forenoon  the  long  roll  of  the  sea,  "right  from  Em-ope," 
was  reached.  Trouble  now  commenced  ;  and  for  awhile  the 
rebellious  stomachs  of  about  one  half  the  party  had  it  all 


THE    RIVER    AJ^D    THE    SOUND.  47 

their  OAvn  way.  Some  of  the  \Hctims  spitefully  pitched 
theu-  recent  breaktasts  overboard,  while  others  only  laid 
back  and  looked  unutterable  things.  After  two  or  three 
hoiu's  of  this  "  sport," —  (it  ?ras  sport  to  some  of  us,) — 
we  came  to  smoother  Avater,  and  all  on  board  enjoyed  a 
lovely  sail  up  NeAV|>ort  harbor.  As  we  passed  Lime  Rock, 
the  home  of  the  heroine,  Ida  Lewis,  that  famous  lady 
made  her  appearance,  and  waved  a  welcome  with  her 
handkerchief  Of  course  we  rej^lied  as  gallantly  as  we 
knew  how.  At  half  past  two  in  the  afternoon  we  reached 
the  wharf. 

A  large  number  of  om*  party  immediately  chartered 
some  sail  boats,  (which  generally  lay  at  the  wharf,  waiting 
for  such  jobs,)  and  hastened  off  to  Lime  Rock  to  pay  theu- 
respects  to  Ida  Lewis. 

The  "  Rock,"  which  rises  out  of  the  water  in  the  south- 
erly part  of  the  harbor,  is  a  very  small  afiair.  The  only 
dwelling  upon  it, —  and  in  fact  the  only  one  for  which 
there  is  any  room, —  is  that  which  Ida's  father  occupies ; 
and  tliis  constitutes  a  portion  of  the  "light-house,"  of 
which  he  is  the  keeper. 

It  was  fi'om  this  rock  that  the  heroine  put  off  in  her  boat 
to  the  rescue  of  drowning  men  —  eleven  in  all,  on  five 
different  occasions :  the  first  being  about  ten  years   ago, 


48  THE   RIVER    AND    THE    SOUND. 

when  she  was  eighteen  years  old,  and  the  last  in  March 
of  this  year. 

Near  the  landing  is  a  boat-house,  overhanging  the  water, 
in  which  is  kept  the  boat  built  for  and  presented  to  Miss 
Ida  as  a  testimonial  to  her  heroism.  The  boat  is  an 
elegant  affau",  and  "  they  say "  its  owner  can  handle  the 
oars  mth  gi'ace  and  ^am. 

Ida  has  an  eye  to  business,  by  keeping  on  hand  a  supply 
of  photogi'aphs,  of  which  we  each  bought  a  coj^y ;  and 
some  who  received  a  piece  of  scrip  from  Ida's  hand,  in 
change,  tucked  it  carefully  away,  as  a  more  valuable  keep- 
sake than  the  picture.  Many  also  picked  up  and  brought 
away  fragments  of  stone  with  which  the  rock  is  strewn. 

Before  retm-ning  to  the  steamer,  we  were  taken  over 
to  Fort  Adams.  This  is  one  of  largest  fortifications  in 
Uncle  Samuel's  dommions,  and  mounts  some  very  heavy 
guns.  It  is  connected  by  a  subterranean  passage  with  a 
redoubt  in  the  reai',  so  that  in  case  of  necessity  the  gar- 
rison can  make  a  safe  retreat  and  blow  up  the  fort. 
Some  of  our  party  traversed  this  passage,  which  has  to 
be  done  in  a  stooping  posture.  On  coming  out  of  the 
fort  we  passed  the  guard  house,  where  a  victim  of  mili- 
tary despotism  was  pining  behind  a  grated  door.  How 
we  pitied  that  poor  fellow !  but  we  were  powerless  to  help 


THE  ri\t:r  and  the  sound.  49 

him,  and  could  only  shake  our  fists  m  indignation  at  the 
TJ.  S.  Government  for  this  imdeserved  treatment  of  one 
of  its  faithful  defenders.  I  say  "undeserved,"  because 
we  had  it  from  the  victim's  own  lips  that  he  "hadn't 
done  nothing." 

Newport  is  noted  chiefly  as  a  resort  of  fashion  during 
the  "heated  term."  There  are  some  fine  hotels  here, 
besides  private  cottages,  at  which  this  class  of  patrons  is 
supplied  with  all  the  luxmies  of  refinement  and  wealth. 
The  principal  hotels  are  the  Ocean  and  Atlantic  Houses, 
on  Belle\'ue  Avenue.  The  former  is  of  magnificent  pro- 
portions, with  a  broad  and  lofty  portico,  in  which  the 
"  ton "  delight  to  lounge.  Du-ectly  in  front  of  this  por- 
tico is  a  showy  band  stand,  which  is  occupied  every 
pleasant  afternoon,  during  the  season,  by  first-class  musi- 
cians. We  had  the  good  luck  to  liear  Gilmore's  band, 
led  by  Arbuckle. 

The   great  attraction  at  Newport  is  Bellevue   Avenue, 

which  is  lined  ^\ith  elegant  residences,  and  in  the  latter 

part  of  the  afternoon  swarms  wdth  "  tourn-outs  "  of  every 

description,  from   the   majestic   family  carriage  drawn  by 

"  four-in-hand,"  bedizened  with  trimmings,  and  attended  by 

liveried  lackeys,  down  to  the  smallest  basket  phaeton,  more 

or  less  nobby  in  style.     The    coachmen   and   footmen   of 

5 


50         THE  RIVER  AND  THE  SOUND. 

all  these  tourn-outs  sit  bolt  upright ;  the  latter  with  folded 
arms,  as  dignified  as  Julius  Caesar,  especially  if  they 
happen  to  belong  to  the  African  persuasion.  A  new 
road  has  been  built  along  by  the  beach,  in  continuation 
of  the  Avenue,  which  makes  a  very  excellent  and  attract- 
ive drive.  Six  dollars  gave  five  of  us  a  ride  over  this 
Avenue  and  back,  and  we  saw  that  worth  of  the  elephant. 

Among  the  other  features  of  interest  in  this  city,  are 
the  Beach,  almost  as  hard  and  smooth  as  a  floor ;  the  old 
Stone  Mill,  so  called,  an  odd-looking  structure  in  Touro 
Park,  whose  origin  and  use  are  a  mystery  ;  the  statue  of 
Commodore  Perry ;  the  Jewish  Cemetery,  with  its  massive 
stone  gateway ;  the  Redwood  Library,  and  the  State  House. 

On  Tuesday  afternoon  we  steamed  down  to  Rocky  Point 
for  a  clam-bake ;  but  as  no  provision  had  been  made  for 
such  a  crowd,  some  of  us  do  not  know  to  this  day  what 
a  baked  clam  tastes  like.  We  had  a  fine  trip,  though, 
and  enjoyed  the  romantic  smToundiugs  of  the  Point  much. 

Om-  last  evening  on  the  boat,  as  we  laid  at  the  wharf, 
was  spent  in  a  most  social  and  agi-eeable  manner.  One 
of  the  featm-es  was  the  introduction  of  a  new  variety  of 
pears  —  a  pair  of  black  babies,  —  in  a  nicely  covered 
basket.  During  the  evening,  several  complimentaiy  reso- 
lutions were  passed,  and  an  original  hymn  was  read  and 


THE    EIVEE    AND    TILE    SOUND.  51 

sung,  all  which  are  published  in  another  part  of  this  book. 

At  midnight  we  sailed  for  New  London ;  and  after 
looking  that  place  over  an  hour  or  two,  proceeded  to  Nor- 
wich, reaching  the  wharf  in  one  hour  short  of  seven  days 
from  the  time  we  left  it  outward  bound.  As  we  passed 
uj)  the  river  an  old  lady  stood  at  her  door,  and  swung  her 
liege  lord's  nether  garment  as  a  "welcome  home." 

Before  landing  we  gave  a  series  of  blow-out  cheers  for 
the  Grand  Carnival  of  Pleasure  and  everybody  and  eveiy- 
thing  connected  with  it. 

C.  H.  Pierce. 


LETTERS 

Originally  published  in  the  Worcester  Daily  Spy. 


Steamer  "City  of  Xew  London," 

Neio  Haven,  August  11,  1869. 


E  promised  the  friends  we  left  behind  that  they 
'^0^  should  hear  from  us  through  the  medium  of  the 
Spy.  We  took  an  early  start  this  morning  from  your, 
our,  dear  old  city,  and  made  the  trip  by  rail  to  Norwich, 
on  time.  Our  friend  Turner,  the  agent,  had  made  ample 
accommodations  for  the  party,  and  was  attentive  to  our 
wants  until  we  had  passed  into  the  hands  of  the  faithful 
conductor  of  the  train.  We  reached  our  steamer  about 
nine  a.  m.,  and  found  all  things  in  readiness  for  us,  with 
the  officers  on  board  ready  to  receive  us,  and  make  our 
trip  pleasant. 

We  found  the  steamer  in  excellent  condition  ;  we  could 
ask  for  nothing  more  satisfactory^  We  have  plenty  of 
room,  although  our  company  is  what  would  be  called 
large  for  an  eightr-day  excm'sion  trip.     We  number  over 


THE    RIVEK    AND    THE    SOUISTD.  53 

two  hundred  and  sixty;  and  have  come  to  the  con- 
clusion that  we  have  a  first-rate  company.  We  have 
over  sixty  persons  outside  of  the  city  of  Worcester, 
representing  the  towns  of  Northampton,  Northboro', 
Holden,  Charlton,  Uxbridge,  West  Boylston,  Leices- 
ter, Whitinsville,  Millbury,  West  Brookfield,  etc.  The 
oldest  man  among  the  company  is  Cheney  Hatch,  of 
Leicester,  the  quarter-of-a-centuiy  cashier  of  Leicester 
Bank.  The  youngest  man,  I  should  think  froni  appear- 
ance, is  G.  W.  Wheeler,  our  city  treasurer.  At  any  rate 
I  should  judge  that  most  of  the  company  were  living 
over  their  you.ng  days.  If  one  day's  trip  on  the  salt  water 
has  such  a  renovating  effect,  I  know  not  what  may  be 
expected  when  the  eight  days  are  up.  We  certainly  have 
a  good  natured  company.  The  trip  on  the  steamer  to 
this  place  was  truly  delightful.  We  all  enjoyed  it  very 
much,  and  not  a  "sea-sick"  soul  could  be  found  among 
the  company.  We  reached  the  delightful  "  City  of  Elms" 
about  five  this  afternoon.  Of  course  we  all  must  take  a 
look  at  the  place,  to  admu-e  its  beauty. 

There  is  no  particular  event  worth  recoi-ding,  except 
the  immense  excitement  caused  by  the  sale  at  auction 
of  our  state-rooms.  The  crowd  around  our  auctioneer, 
Glazier,  was  immense.     We  could  not  realize  that  money 


54  THE    RIVER    AND    THE    SOUND. 

was  so  plenty  and  business  so  brisk,  after  leaving  Wor- 
cester so  lately.  The  "bridal  chamber  "  was  first  offered. 
It  brought  the  small  sum  oY  $40.  Although  there  were 
several  lately  married  couples  present,  the  room  was  taken 
by  one  of  our  Worcester  friends  who  had  the  matrimo- 
nial knot  tied  years  ago.  The  last  room  sold  brought 
$42.50.  The  lucky  buyer  was  from  Northampton.  We 
realized  about  $1,000  from  state-rooms.  We  defy  the 
great  Erie  railroad  Fisk  to  beat  this.  He  has  found  a 
rival  this  time. 

Now,  dear  friends  at  home,  we  a\H11  close  by  saying 
to  you  that  we  are  all  right,  and  hope  to  go  ahead  as 
well  as  we  have  begun.  We  stay  here  over  night,  and 
to-morrow  morning  we  expect  to  wake  up  in  New  York 
city,  to  have  a  look  at  the  Park  and  other  wonderful 
sights  of  that  heated  city. 

You  shall  hear  from  us  daily,  if  the  Spy  is  willing. 


THE    KIVER    AND    THE    SOUND.  55 

West  Point,  N.  Y.,  August  13. 


I  HE  steamer  City  of  Neio  London  has  reached 
this  place  Avith  the  "  Coit  Excursionists  "  all  right. 
We  prolonged  our  stay  S,t  New  Haven  somewhat,  and 
concluded  to  give  Bridgeport  the  go  by  in  order  to  reach 
New  York  city  early  Thursday  morning.  It  was  the 
fii'st  trip  of  many  of  our  party  to  this  noted  city,  strange 
as  it  may  seem  to  hundi'eds  of  your  readers  who  make 
fi'equent  visits   to    Gotham   during  the   year. 

We  arrived  in  New  York  at  nine  a.  m.  on  the 
12th  inst.,  and,  notwithstanding  the  scorching  atmos- 
phere, landed  and  proceeded  in  force  to  Central  Park. 
We  "did"  the  park  thoi-oughly,  and,  as  far  as  mem- 
bers are  concerned,  the  heart  of  your  old  Commonwealth 
was  never  better  represented  there  before.  We  retm-ned 
to  the  steamer  at  four  p.  m.,  laden  with  peaches  and 
ready  for  our  trip  up  the  Hudson.  New  York  is 
flooded  mth  peaches, — larger,  finer,  superior  eveiyway 
to  the  things  that  ai'e  sold  for  peaches  in  Worcester, 
and  they  are  very  much  cheaper,  too.  Genuine  peaches, 
luscious  and  beautiful,  were  selling  at  75  cents  and 
$1.00   per   bushel. 

Om'  sail   up   the  Hudson   river  was  delightful.     I  will 


56  THE    EIVER    AND    THE    SOUND. 

not  attempt  a  description  of  the  magnificent  scenery. 
Hundi-ecls  have  attempted  to  do  so,  but  all  have 
failed  to  do  the  subject  justice.  Those  of  our  party 
who  have  made  this  trip  before,  found  the  Hudson 
river  scenery  more  beautiful  than  ever  before.  Those 
who  are  here  for  the  first  time  wonder  why  all  Worces- 
ter does  not  hasten  to  New  York  to  make  this  charm- 
ing voyage.  We  had  intended  to  tarry  one  night  at 
West  Point,  but  the  authorities  here  who  have  been 
much  annoyed  by  excursion  parties,  in  the  past,  have 
put  a  stop  to  such  visitations,  and  now  refuse  to  allow 
any  excursion  boats  or  parties  to  land  at  their  Avharf. 
The  commander,  however,  consented  to  let  us  take  a 
view  of  the  premises.  I  need  not  attempt  to  give  a 
description  of  the  place,  or  what  "Uncle  Sam"  is 
doing  here  to  train  the  young  "how  to  shoot."  Every 
one  understands  the  matter  better  than  I  do.  Suffice  it  to 
say,  that  a  more  delightful  or  appropriate  place  for  the  mili- 
tary academy  could  not  have  been  found.  Our  whole 
party  came  to  the  conclusion,  after  a  visit  to  this  place, 
that  it  was  worth  the  whole  trip  to  have  seen  AVest 
Point  and  view  the  scenery,  and  witness  the  di-ess  pa- 
rade of  the  cadets.  We  think  they  excel  even  our 
State  Guard   in   military   evolutions.     We   stopped  but  a 


THE   RIVER    AND    THE    SOUND.  57 

few  hours,  having  previously  landed  for  the  night  about 
two  miles  below  here. 

We  found  Hudson  a  very  pretty  place.  It  contains 
about  8,000  inhabitants,  who  appeared  to  regi-et  very 
much  that  they  had  not  been  informed  that  we  were 
to  pay  them  a  visit;  they  desu-ed  to  give  us  a  pub- 
lic reception.  One  generous  and  public  spirited  man, 
named  George  H.  Power,  came  aboard  as  soon  as  we 
touched  the  landing  place,  and,  though  a  stranger  to 
all  of  us,  furnished  us  which  two  carriages  in  which 
to  ride  about  the  place.  We  spent  the  next  night 
at  Poughkeepsie,  before  leaving  which  place  we  bought 
•some  cans  of  milk  and  a  cart  load  of  gi-een  corn.  As 
we  have  two  doctors  on  board,  our  friends  at  home 
deed  not  be  alarmed. 

Our  rations,  under  the  direction  of  friend  Glazier, 
our  steward,  are  ample  in  quality  and  quantity.  We 
are  living  high,  and  sleeping  all  ai'ound.  Our  evenings 
are  among  the  happiest  of  our  hom*s.  We  are  rich 
in  musical  talent,  and,  have  also  a  gi'eat  variety 
of  speakmg  talent.  Then  of  course  we  have  some 
harmless  amusements  for  the  young.  On  the  whole, 
we  think  we  have  made  a  decided  mij^rovement  on 
last   year's   trip.     In  fact,  we   are   already   contemplating 


58  THE   RIVER    AND    THE    SOUND. 

an    excursion,  next  yeai*,   to   Europe!    Our  experience 
will  give  us  advantage  over  "gi-een  hands! " 

I  have  no  cases  of  "  sea  sickness "  to  report  as  yet ; 
but  next  Monday  night,  look  out  for  this  part  of  the 
progi'amme.  At  that  time  we  shall  probably  have 
passed  Point  Judith,  on  our  way  to  NeAV^Dort. 

By  the   way,  in   the   list  of  towns  represented  in  the 
"Coit  Exciu'sion,"  Westboro'  should   not  have   been  left 
out.     There  are   eleven   from   that  place,   who   have  be 
haved,  so   far,  exceedingly  well,  and  could  not  be  spared 
from   the  party.  w.  m. 


On  board  "City  of  New  London," 
New   York,  August  14,  1869. 

E  left    Poughkeepsie    this    forenoon    about   eight 


iw/%5:^  o'clock;  we  found  the  place  quite  a  thi'iving 
city;  there  are  many  places  of  note,  all  of  which  your 
readers  are  familiar  with ;  therefore  I  make  no  attempt 
at  description  of  what  we  saw  there.  Perhaps  I  ought 
to  mention  Vassar  college;  many  of  om*  party  paid  a 
visit  to  this  celebrated  place ;  they  describe  it  as  very  beau- 


THE   EIVER    AND    THE    SOUND.  59 

tiful  and  extensive.  I  only  saw  the  lager  beer  brewery 
where  the  money  was  made  that  bnilt  the  college.  The 
brewery  is  certainly  very  extensive,  and  I  should  judge 
that  about  as  much  misery  might  come  from  this  brew- 
ery as  good  would  come  from  the  college.  Perhaps  the 
man's  conscience  is  very  much  eased  by  the  fact  that 
although  he  may  get  his  money  in  a  mean  way,  he  is 
giving  it  for  good  purposes;  iu  other  words,  attempting 
to  seiwe  God  and  the  devil  at  one  and  the  same  time. 

Perhaps  I  may  be  wandering  from  my  subject,  which 
is  an  attemj^t  to  give  a  description  of  om*  journey 
from  place  to  place,  as  well  as  incidents  of  travel.  We 
stopped  for  about  two  hom-s  this  forenoon  at  Newburgh, 
a  very  interesting  place  about  sixty  miles  from  New 
York  city.  Om*  j^arty  visited  what  was  once  the  head- 
quarters of  General  Washington.  The  building  is  sit- 
uated on  a  high  point  of  land,  commanding  a  beautiful 
view  of  the  Hudson  and  the  sceneiy  smToimding  it. 
Here  in  this  venerable  building  is  found  much  that 
would  mterest  the  historian  as  well  as  the  lover  of 
the  "father  of  his  country,"  the  beloved  Washington. 
It  was  here  that  Washington  proclaimed  the  cessation 
of  hostilities,  March  19th,  1783,  and  disbanded  the 
American  army   November   3d,    1783.     Here    are   foimd 


60  THE   RIVER    AND    THE    SOUND. 

Washington's  chaii-,  ■s\Titten  orders  to  his  army,  a  lock 
of  his  hail*,  a  piece  of  his  coffin,  his  looking-glass, — in 
fact,  a  great  vaiiety  of  articles  which  doubtless  once 
belonged  to  him.  We  came  back  to  our  steamboat, 
feeling  that  we  had  added  another  link  to  the  chain 
of  memory  that  makes  this  trip  one  of  the  most  pleas- 
ant  occasions  of  om*   history. 

We  made  no  other  landing  on  the  Hudson.  We 
are  all  delighted  with  the  trip  on  the  river.  All  agi'ee 
that  Ave  could  not  have  selected  any  other  route  that 
would  have  pleased  us  all  so  well  as  this.  It  is  a 
fortunate  atfau*  that  the  committee  of  arrangements 
have  been  so  fortunate  as  to  please  a  company  of 
two  hundred  and  sixty  or  more  peojile. 

We  arrived  at  pier  No.  40,  New  York  city,  at  five 
o'clock  this  afternoon;  here  we  expect  to  have  our 
steamer  "made  fast"  until  Monday  morning,  at  which 
time  we  start  for  Newport.  Our  company  scattered 
themselves  pretty  generally  through  the  city,  about  as 
soon  as  we  were  fairly  landed,  some  to  see  dear  friends, 
others  to  see  the  sights,  others,  we  should  judge  by 
the  way  they  came  back  loaded,  to  get  peaches,  melons, 
pears,  and  other  good  things  to  eat.  For  the  credit  of 
the   whole   company,   let   me   now   say,  tliat  I  have  not 


THE    RIVEK   AND    THE    SOUND.  61 

seen  or  smelt  a  di-op  of  intoxicating  liquor  since  we 
started  from  home,  among  om-  comi^any.  I  take  great 
pride  in  jjublishing  this  fact  to  the  world,  and  espec- 
ially to  that  part  of  it  who  think  it  necessary  to  use 
it  as  a  medicine,  or  in  order  to  enjoy  a  social  excur- 
sion. We  know,  or  think,  that* a  pleasanter  or  hajjpier 
party   cannot   be   found. 


Steamer  "City  of  New  London," 
JSFeio   York,  August  15,  1869. 

,EW  YORK  cannot  be  looked  uj^on  as  a  de- 
su-able  place  in  which  to  spend  a  hot,  un- 
comfortable Sunday.  With  its  dust  and  tm-moil,  its 
endless  excitement,  and  constant  flow  of  brain-crazinof 
experience  and  incident,  the  vast  metropolis  cannot  be 
viewed,  even  on  week  days,  as  an  inviting  point  for 
pleasure  seekers,  such  as  form  our  goodly  company. 
Had  om'  committee  of  arrangements  been  able  to  fore- 
see  the    height   to   which    the     mercury    would    attain, 

this   portion   of  om*    time    would,    doubtless,    have   been 

6 


62  THE    RIVER    AND    THE    SOUND. 

spent  in  some  cooler  port.  However,  the  cruise,  thus 
far,  has  been  fraught  with  so  mucli  of  real  pleasure 
for  all  oiu"  company,  that  we  willingly  overlook  the 
discomforts   of  om*   experience   here. 

This  morning,  religious  services,  of  a  most  interest- 
ing nature,  were  held  on  board  our  steamer,  conducted 
by  om-  chaplain.  Rev.  G.  J.  Sanger,  assisted  by  Rev. 
Mr.  Cobb,  of  Noithampton ;  the  2^i"esence  of  both  of 
which  gentlemen  in  our  midst  has  added  much  to  the 
charm  of  our  voyage.  Chaplain  Sanger,  basing  his 
discoiirse  on  the  most  poetical  text :  "  O,  that  I  had 
the  wings  of  a  dove ;  I  would  fly  away  and  be  at 
rest," — Ps.  Ixv. :  6, —  preached  a  most  excellent  and  ap- 
propriate sermon.  Remembering  that  his  hearers  had 
sought,  in  thus  leaving  their  homes  and  business  in 
the  old  Commonwealth,  a  few  days  of  enjoyment  in 
rest  from  their  accustomed  labors,  the  speaker  grasped 
the  idea,  and  made  the  central  thought  of  his  addi*ess 
the  true  rest  for  which  the  soul  of  man  craves,  and 
how  that  rest  may  be  found.  A  report  of  the  sermon 
would  hardly  be  in  place  here,  but  it  was  a  most  pleas- 
ing discom'se  for  the  listeners. 

The   musical  portions  of  the  exercises  were  conducted 
by  Mr.  G.  W.  Elkins,  of  Worcester,  while   Miss   Emma 


THE    EIVER    AND    THE    SOUND.  63 

Upham  presided  at  the  piano.  This,  as  may  well  be 
judged,  formed  a  most  pleasing  featm-e  of  the  services.  At 
the  close  of  these  Sabbath  exercises,  nearly  all  of  our  party 
went  on  shore,  ostensibly  to  attend  the  city  chm-ches. 
The  "smartest"  and  most  popular  clergymen,  and  the 
most  magnificent  church  edifices  were  sought  by  many; 
but,  in  many  cases,  the  houses  of  worship  were  found 
closed,  and  the  would-be  attendants  found  their  way 
to  Central  Park  and  other  points  of  interest  about  the 
city.  In  these  warm  days  the  morals  of  the  metropo- 
lis, never  too  good,  are  left  to  run  themselves,  while 
the  spiritual  advisers,  folloTvdng  in  the  footsteps  of  Rev. 
Mr.  MuiTay  and  other  pleasure  seekers,  with  valise, 
gun  and  fishing  rod,  travel  ofi"  to  the  Adirondacks,  or, 
more  soberly  inclined,  quietly  rusticate  by  the  seaside. 

As  we  walked  over  the  city,  we  found  quite  a  number 
of  stores  open,  while  the  grogshops  seemed  di'iving  an 
excellent  business.  This  will,  doubtless,  sound  strange 
to  Massachusetts  ears,  as  it  looked  strange  to  our  Massa^ 
chusetts  eyes.  It  might  reasonably  be  judged  that  the 
class  of  people  in  New  York  who  usually  attend  church 
on  the  Sabbath,  have,  either  followed  the  footsteps  of 
their  pastors  and  "taken  a  vacation,"  or,  in  the  absence 
of  their   preachers,    degenerated  into    Sabbath   breakers. 


64  THE    RIVER   AND    THE    SOUND. 

Lager  beer  saloons  were  crowded  witli  thirsty  customers ; 
steamers,  laden  with  pleasure-seekers,  sailed  up  and  down 
the  river,  bound  to  shore  resorts  or  to  the  banks  of  the 
Hudson ;  bands  of  music  could  be  heard,  and  dancing 
paities  seen  on  the  decks  of  these  steamers,  as  they 
bore  their  thoughtless  bm'dens  of  New  York's  men  and 
women  out  over  the  waters ;  ball  clubs  were  found  play- 
ing "the  national  game,"  even  in  some  of  the  public 
streets ;  while  feny  boats,  steam  cars,  horse  cars,  and 
omnibuses,  all  loaded  to  their  fullest  extent,  pre- 
sented scenes  which  might  well  appear  strange  to  our 
party,  reared  as  they  had  been  with  such  different  views 
of  life's  duties,  and  of  the  Sabbath  and  its  observance. 

We  do  nut  claim  perfection  for  the  old  Bay  State,  but 
we  certainly  believe  that  her  customs  and  her  record  of 
daily  life  do  not  savor  so  strongly  of  the  "pit"  as  do 
those  of  Gotham.  In  spite  of  the  corruption  manifest 
on  eveiy  hand",  we  have  endeavored  to  sustain  the  name 
and  credit  of  our  honored  city  and  State. 

Gathering  on  our  steamer  at  night,  we  again  joined 
in  religious  services.  Rev.  Mr.  Cobb  preached  a  practical 
sermon,  which  was  listened  to  with  deep  interest  by  his 
heai'ers,  fiom  the  text:  "Becereful  for  nothing," — Phil, 
vi. :  4; — and   he   presented  many  truths   with   force   and 


THE    RIVER   AND    THE    SOUND.  65 

distinctness,    which,    if    applied   to   oiu-   daily  manner  of 

living,   might  work   much   good.     The   evening   services 

were  a  fit  and  pleasing  close  for  the  events  of  the  day. 

Taking  all  things  together,  in  spite  of  the  oppressive 

heat   and  the  discomforts  of  the  day,  w^e  shall  assuredly 

mark  this  as  one  of  the  most  interesting  and  profitable 

thus  far  spent.     It  is  our  intention  now  to  cast  off  from 

New  York  at  midnight  to-night,  and,  if  wind  and  weather 

prove  fau',  you  will  soon  hear  fi-om  us,  with  our  steamer 

anchored  in  Newport  harbor. 

yv.  M. 


Steamer  "City  of  New  London." 
Newport,  August  16,  1869. 

?IGHT  glad  were  om-  party  to   leave  the  city  of 

New  York.     We  certainly  shall  not  wish  to  stop 

again  over  Sunday  in   hot  weather  at   a  New  York  dock. 

We  left  there  soon    after    midnight,   this  morning;    the 

weather,  we  found,  had  suddenly  changed,  or  we  had  been 

near  that  hot  place  we  read  of     The  sailing  was  fine  and 

delightful ;    all  were  as  gay  as  larks  and    as  hungiy  as 

6* 


66  THE    RIYER   AXD    THE    SOUND. 

sharks,  waiting  as  patiently  as  possible  for  breakfast.  We 
all  had  eaten  a  very  heaity  meal,  and  we  could  see  the 
squint  in  the  steward's  eye,  as  much  as  to  say,  you  won't 
keep  that  breakfast  long.  The  party  crowded  to  the  front 
pait  of  the  deck  to  view  the  ocean  scenery,  and  also  to 
keep  an  eye  on  those  that  might  fii-st  give  in  to  the  rising 
of  the  waves  and  the  rocking  and  rolling  of  the  boat. 
Soon  it  was  observed  that  now  and  then  one  of  the  party 
would  begin  to  gi-ow  pale  about  the  mouth  ;  then,  soon,  a 
zig-zag  movement  towards  the  railing  of  the  boat  to  look 
over  ;■   then  some  friend  would  step  up  to  hold  the  head 

gently  over  the  railing,  then ;  it  was  then  time  for 

the  well  ones  to  shout,  sing,  and  laugh ;  this  was  kept  up 
for  about  an  hour  and  a  half,  the  squad  at  the  side  of  the 
boat  increasing  in  numbers,  till  nearly  all  the  party  had 
successfully  gone  through  the  usual  exercises  on  such  in- 
teresting occasions.  So  few  were  unaffected  that  for  a 
while  it  was  difficult  to  find  persons  enough  to  hold  the 
heads  over  the  side.  This  state  of  things  lasted  for  two 
long  hours ;  soon  after  the  steward  brought  up  a  few 
bushels  of  crackers,  ^-ith  plenty  of  tea  and  coffee,  and  the 
trouble  was  over ;  we  resumed  our  several  places,  and 
"Richard  was  himself  again."  Well,  it  might  have  been 
interesting  to  the  lookers-on  to  witness   the  scene,  but  it 


THE    RIVER   AND    THE    SOUND.  67 

was  anjlhing  but  fine  to  the  participants.  It  is  no  easy 
matter  to  describe  "  sea  sickness ; "  it  can  be  better  felt 
than  described. 

We  arrived  in  this  place  abont  half-past  two  o'clock  this 
p.  M.  Newport  is  full;  the  hotels  are  full;  the  usual 
amount  of  flu-ting  and  snobbing  are  seen ;  the  splendid 
turn-outs  and  di'ives  may  be  seen  on  the  avenue  in  the 
early  evening.  Many  of  our  party  hu*ed  carriages  and  took 
a  diive  "around  the  new  road,"  which  is  about  nine  miles. 
It  is  a  very  pleasant  ride  of  about  two  hoiu-s  as  the  hacks 
drive  here,  and  it  is  very  fine ;  most  of  the  magnificent 
residences  of  the  j^lace  are  found  on  this  road.  People  who 
come  here  have  not  gone  through  the  progi'amme  till  they 
have  been  over  this  road. 

We  leave  to-morrow  for  Rocky  Point  for  a  clam  bake, 
and  return  here  in  the  afternoon  to  stop  over  night. 
Wednesday  morning  we  leave  for  "sweet  home."  We 
have  a  jJarty  with  us  from  Princeton  who  should  not  be 
omitted  from  the  record.  As  we  become  more  acquainted 
with  each  other  the  attachments  are  stronger;  and  we 
have  none  in  our  party  we  would  like  to  part  with  till  om' 
excursion  is  over,  and  the  time  comes  for  us  to  return  to 
our  usual  avocations.  w.  .ai. 


68  THE    RIVER    AND    THE    SOUND. 


HOME    AGAIN! 

Worcester,  August  18. 

home  again  !  We  are  gratified  at  the  great  suc- 
cess of  the  excursion.  We  took  our  departiu'e 
from  NeAvport  at  an  early  hour  this  morning,  and  arrived 
at  the  picturesque  city  of  Norwich  at  about  9  a.  m. 
Here  we  made  a  stop  for  two  hom-s  or  more  before 
proceeding  further  on  our  homeward  journey,  and  finally 
reached  Worcester  at  half-past  two  in  the  afternoon. 

Of  course  we  could  not  break  up  this  large  and  interest 
ing  party  without  expressing  om-  gratitude  to  some  of  those 
who  had  contributed  to  the  success  of  om*  excursion. 
Last  night  we  had  om*  farewell  meeting  in  the  cabin;  which 
was  crowded  to  its  utmost  capacity.  For  three  hours  we 
made  speeches,  told  stories  and  sang.  The  literary  and 
musical  talent  of  our  party  was  fairly  developed,  and  in  the 
evening  manifestations  ranged  from  grave  to  gay.  The 
merriment  was  increased  when  one  gentleman  produced 
the  basket  of  pears  that  had  been  demanded  of  him.  The 
largest   "pair"  consisted  of  a  couple  of  little  colored  chil- 


THE    EIVER    AND    THE    SOUND.  69 

dren  who  had  been  snugly  hid  away  in  the  bottom  of  the 
basket.     The  committee  on  resolutions  reported  the  foUow- 


Whereas,  We,  members  of  the  Coit  Excm'siou  party — 
not  unmindful  of  Him  who  constantly  watches  over  us,  and 
to  whom  we  are  indebted  for  life  and  all  its  pleasures — 
having  had  a  glorious  time  during  our  present  excursion, 
feel  tliat  the  promoters  of  our  enjoyment  deserve  some  ex- 
pression of  our  aj^preciation  of  then-  efforts  in  om*  behalf, 
therefore 

Resolved,  That  our  unfeigned  thanks  and  heart-felt  grati- 
tude are  due  to  Mr.  George  R.  Peckham,  our  worthy 
j^resident,  through  whom  we  have  been  furnislied  ^x\Xh  owe 
intellectual  entertainments ;  Mr.  William  Mecorney,  our 
faithful  clerk  and  reporter ;  Mr.  Geo.  W.  Wheeler,  oitr 
treasui'er,  who  accepts  the  responsible  position  of  receiving 
and  paying  out  our  money,  besides  othermse  contributing 
largely  to  the  pleasure  of  our  party  ;  Mr.  Henry  Glazier, 
om*  faithful  steward,  who  has  successfully  and  satisfactorily 
provided  for  our  tables,  and  exercised  a  constant  watchful- 
pess  that  all  should  be  cared  for ;  and  all  other  officers  of 
om'  i^arty  for  theii"  efforts  in  om*  behalf. 

Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  Mr.  Sanger,  for  his  faithful  ser- 
^dces  as  chaplain  and  excellent  discourse  on  Sabbath  morn- 
ing, and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Cobb,  for  his  interesting  and  practi- 
cal addi'ess  on  Sabbath  evening,  have  endeared  themselves 
to  us,  and  will  long  be  remembered. 

Resolved,  That  om'  thanks  are  due  to  Dr.  Edwin  Scho- 
field,  for  his  faithful  attention  to  those  who  have  needed 
his  professional  services  during  the  excursion. 

Resolved,  That  we  duly  appreciate  the  effoi«ts  of  Mr. 
Elkins,  Ml-,  and  Mrs.  Maynard,  Miss  Winslow,  Miss  War- 
ren, and  others  of  our  party  who  ha^'e  contributed  to  our 
enjoyment  so  largely  by  their  musical  performances. 


70  THE    RIVER    AND    THE    SOUND. 

Mesolved,  That  we  are  largely  indebted  to  Capt.  Brown 
and  the  other  officers  and  crew  of  the  steamer  City  of  N'eio 
London,  for  the  pleasure  and  enjoyment  of  our  trip. 

Resolved,  That  we  are  under  great  obligations  to  Mr. 
Julius  Webb,  and  other  officers  of  the  steamboat  company, 
for  then-  liberal  action  towards  us,  and  their  endeavors  to 
promote  the  success  of  the  excursion. 

Resolved,  That  we  acknowledge  the  kindness  of  the 
officers  in  command  at  West  Point  for  the  courtesies  ex- 
tended to  oiu"  party,  and  the  extra  military  tactics  for  our 
special  entertainment. 

Resolved,  That  our  gratification  with  our  present  excur- 
sion can  be  expressed  in  no  better  way  than  by  recommend- 
ing a  similar  trip  for  1870. 

Responses  followed,  and  an  original  song,  written  by 
one  of  the  ladies,  was  sung  by  Mr.  Elkins,  to  the  tune  of 
"John  Brown,"  the  whole  company  joining  in  the  chonxs. 

We  can  truly  say  that  this  excursion  has  more  than  met 
the  expectations  of  all  who  have  shared  in  its  decided  suc- 
cess. We  know  of  nothing  that  has  hai:)pened  to  in  the 
least  mar  the  pleasure  and  happiness  of  oui'  party.  We 
have  been  gone  eight  days — have  traveled  over  seven  hun- 
dred miles — had  our  table  furnished  the  veiy  best  the  mai*- 
ket  affords ;  and  the  expense  has  been  veiy  small  com- 
paratively. We  had  also  quite  a  fund  left  which  we  are  to 
distribute  among  ovir  party.  Our  arrival  at  the  station  in 
Worcester  was  the  occasion  of  some  hearty  cheering,  and 


THE    EIVER    AND    THE    SOUND.  71 

we  crossed  the  old  common  singing  "  Home,  Sweet  Home." 
The  Spy  has  been  hailed  with  delight,  whenever  and 
wherever  we  have  found  it  on  the  route.  av.  m. 


SONG  OF  THE  EXCURSIONISTS. 

We  have  come  from  Worcester  city,  in  the  famous  old  Bay 

State ; 
At  least  two  hundred  sixty  souls,  inclndino;  small  and  ^reat; 
Our  steamer  bears  us  swift  along,  a  gay  and  goodly  freight — 
As  we  go  sailing  on. 

Glory,  glory,  &c. 

We  have  seen  the  crested  billows  of  the  foamy,  flashing  brine ; 
We  have  seen  the  northern  river,  with  its  towns  and  cities  fine; 
We  have  seen  the  glorious  Highlands,  crowned  with  cedar  and 

with  pine. 
As  we  go  sailing  on. 

Glory,  glory,  &c. 

Some  have  told  us  of  the  beauties  of  the  far-off  storied  Ehine, 
With  its  castles  and  its  gardens  in  the  countrj''  of  the  vine ; 
But  thy  claims,  O  charming  Hudson,  we  will  never  more  resign. 
As  we  went  sailing  on. 

Glory,  glory,  &c. 

We  have  seen  the  modern  Babel,  with  its  countless  domes  and 

spires ; 
With  its  palaces,  and  hovels  where  the  light  of  hope  expires ; 
With  its  missions,  and  its  heathen  whose  hard  lot  our  pity  fires, 
As  we  go  sailing  on. 

Glory,  glory,  &c. 


72 


THE    EIVER   AND    THE    SOUND; 


Though  we've  paid  relentless  Neptune  without  stint  his  full 

demand, 
We  will  give  to  all  their  honest  dues  without  a  sparing  hand, 
Through  rough  or  smooth,  through  hot  or  cold,  we've  still  a 

happy  band. 
As  we  go  sailing  on. 

Glory,  glory,  &c. 

As  we  hasten  on  our  journey  in  pursuit  of  health  and  rest, 
There's  a  joyous  thought   unbidden  springs    in    every  loyal 

breast; — 
We've  a  broad  and  glorious  country — 'tis  the  one  we  love  the 

best, 
As  we  go  sailing  on. 

Glory,  glory,  &c. 


K- 


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